If you are considering using electronic cigarettes instead of traditional tobacco smokes, then it is a good idea to learn about their legal status. Although there has been some research into the safety of e-cigarettes, there is as yet no comprehensive study that offers convincing evidence about safety. The French government has recently been debating the idea of banning electronic cigarettes over concerns about public health. There is still no firm scientific evidence to go on, other than the opposition from various groups. There are many who have used e-cigarettes to quit smoking successfully.

The politics of electronic cigarettes in France seems to be moving back and forth with concerns over the public health implications. The proposed law calls for a ban on smoking e-cigarettes in public areas, such as bars and restaurants. Opponents of electronic cigarettes are seeking to curb the sale of these products to minors, as well as to execute an advertising blackout on traditional media.

The truth about the electronic alternative
The battery-driven smoking alternatives are designed to allow the user to inhale a small amount of nicotine-laced vapour. There is no smoke or carcinogens in e-cigarettes. Although there is no evidence of harm, some groups are seeking to restrict their use in public areas such as offices and cafes.

What will be the result if e-cigarettes are regulated?
It is estimated that approximately 71,000 French men and women die each year from diseases relating to tobacco smoke. Over half a million French people use the electronic products in an effort to avoid the negative health consequences of smoking. The enormous popularity of these devices may weaken the push toward full regulation. Even if France succeeds in regulating e-cigarettes in the same way as tobacco products, there will be a strong demand for them, since many smokers are looking for a way quit smoking.

Are e-cigarettes harmful to others?
There is no combustion of tobacco in e-cigarettes, which means there is no smoke, tar or any other material associated with tobacco cigarettes. The liquid nicotine is enclosed in a plastic tube that is activated by a small battery. The vaper takes a puff, and the battery warms the nicotine filled cylinder, freeing a small charge of vapour upon exhalation.

Another concern regarding electronic cigarettes is the amount of nicotine in a puff. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies e-cigarettes as nicotine delivery devices, and they are subject to government regulation in the same way that other smoking cessation devices are regulated. France will come to terms with its smoking dilemma as more people choose to use e-cigarettes and give up tobacco altogether.