Disposable electronic cigarettes (puffs): growing popularity, especially among young people
According to a study published in October 2022 by the ACT (Alliance Against Tobacco), one in ten French adolescents has already smoked a Puff.
Promoted in particular on social networks such as TikTok and Snapchat, these disposable e-cigarettes are particularly popular among young people. Although tobacconists claim to be extra vigilant to prevent minors from accessing them, in compliance with the law which prohibits their sale to under-18s, they represent a significant part of their sales, and they do not have the means to prevent young adults from purchasing them for minors.
Overall, tobacco consumption is decreasing among adolescents, but the use of electronic cigarettes is evolving differently. Among 17-year-olds, electronic cigarette consumption increased from 52.4% to 56.9% between 2017 and 2022, and daily use tripled, from 1.9% to 6.2%, according to a report from the Observatory French about drugs and addictive tendencies.
In July 2022, 13% of adolescents aged 13 to 16 had already tried the puff, and 9% had already purchased this product, according to a survey for the Alliance Contre association the tobacco. This survey also reveals that 28% of young people started their nicotine consumption with puffs, and 17% then turned to other stronger nicotine or tobacco products.
Ban on puffs: decision sparks controversy
At the beginning of May 2023, François Braun, then Minister of Health, spoke in favor of the ban on puffs, affirming that they “brought some of the young people from our population towards smoking”.
These e-cigarettes offer a certain number of puffs with a nicotine level ranging from 0 to 20 mg/ml. According to the former minister, even without nicotine, they create a reflex and a gesture to which young people get used, subsequently leading them towards smoking. A position supported by the Prime Minister at the time, Elisabeth Borne.
The Alliance Contre le Tabac association, which has acted as a whistleblower since 2022, has warned of a possible “pediatric epidemic of nicotine addiction”. Last February, the National Academy of Medicine described puffs as “a particularly devious trap set for children and adolescents with the aim of leading them towards an addiction to tobacco products” .
Ban on puffs: what impact on the CBD market?
The potential ban on puffs could have direct (positive) repercussions on the CBD market. First, tobacconists, who currently record a significant share of their sales thanks to these disposable electronic cigarettes, could turn to alternative products.
Among these alternatives, CBD products are likely to gain popularity due to their legal status and growing demand.
Next, according to market data, sales of CBD products such as oils, flowers and e-liquids have already shown an upward trend in the aftermath of the announcement. This dynamic could be accentuated with the disappearance of puffs, thus offering a new commercial opportunity for specialist retailers and online stores.
As for CBD puffs, they remain in the minority in the offerings of professionals in the cannabidiol industry. The impact would therefore be minimal.
