CNCT: Ban on Flavors in Vaping

The national committee against smoking is calling for the ban on flavors in vaping products — a new demand that risks disrupting the sector. Following a survey conducted on new tobacco and nicotine products, it appears that the sector has evolved significantly in recent years. With the appearance of new devices, the CNCT is concerned about the sector's evolution and the consequences this would have on minors. So, why ban flavors in your e-liquids? How does the vaping sector defend itself against such measures? We explain.

The CNCT's declaration

On February 13, the National Committee Against Smoking called on public authorities to remove flavors from nicotine e-liquids. This decision emerged from a survey conducted among professionals in the sector, at tobacconists, in specialist shops, and on online sales websites.

A measure that was requested following numerous accusations, notably concerning the advertising aspect of products, the evolution of the market with new devices appearing, the reach of these new products on a young population and involving minors.

According to the CNCT, 84.5% of tobacconists advertising vaping products are acting illegally, 72% of specialist shops do not comply with advertising regulations, and 47% of tobacconists are illegally promoting heated tobacco. A violation of the advertising regulations for IQOS products and electronic cigarettes is therefore declared by Professor Yves Martinet, the president of the CNCT.

Furthermore, the CNCT criticizes the evolution of the market with new devices, such as puffs and new flavors attracting increasingly younger consumers. According to Yves Martinet, these products would have no interest in smoking cessation and would be aimed solely at attracting young consumers.

This is why, following this study, the CNCT would request several measures to be applied, including the ban on flavors other than tobacco in nicotine e-liquids, better regulation of retail product sales to limit their accessibility, and a revision of the regulation of new nicotine products, as well as nicotine alone.

Fivape's mobilization

In response to this call, professionals in the sector are mobilizing. On February 15, Fivape, the interprofessional federation of vaping, published its press release in response to these accusations.

Since its appearance in France 10 years ago, vaping has grown significantly and today represents the most widely used cessation method by the French to quit tobacco. Today it allows 4 million French people every day to no longer smoke and to stay away from tobacco — it is the most effective and most sought-after method that directly helps to considerably reduce the number of deaths linked to smoking.

The CNCT in its report did not take into account the scientific data on the subject, and in order not to undermine the efforts made over 10 years to establish this cessation tool, it is important to revisit the considerable scientific data.

• Vaping does not lead young people to smoking; all serious studies conducted on the subject over these 10 years of experience show that there is no gateway between vaping and conventional cigarettes. 
• Since 2016, the sale of vaping products has been strictly prohibited to minors.
• The ban on flavors is counterproductive — by banning flavors, the CNCT makes only the tobacco flavor available, whereas that is precisely the flavor former smokers are trying to get away from. Today, the share of vapers using the tobacco taste represents only a small percentage; out of 100 people, this flavor is used by only 17%.
• Flavors are a source of motivation for former smokers; having a different taste in their mouth helps keep them away from tobacco. Applying this measure would amount to undermining the effectiveness of the product.
• Today, 4 million vapers use these products on a daily basis, and this could help the 13 million smokers still present to quit tobacco.

Encouraged by the 8,000 vaping professionals working daily on the diversity of flavors in order to help a greater number of smokers, Fivape, backed by serious scientific data, is firmly determined to make the sector's voice heard by requesting a meeting with the Minister of Health to find a common solution to help the remaining 13 million smokers quit tobacco for good.

So, what should we expect?

For now, no decision has been made regarding this request, and the sector's fervent defenders will not give in so easily. The ban on flavors is a disproportionate measure that could jeopardize consumers' health, as they might decide to start smoking again. This would also have serious consequences for the measures applied as part of the anti-tobacco fight in France.

Indeed, fruity, indulgent, sweet, and menthol flavors are not intended to attract minors toward electronic cigarettes or other cessation devices, but genuinely serve a key purpose for vapers who, thanks to flavors, maintain a variety of tastes that allows them to continue using these products on a daily basis.