Yohann Tritz, edited by Gauthier Delomez 8:10 p.m., October 25, 2022
Disposable electronic cigarettes, called "puffs", are a hit with young audiences.
Nearly three out of ten teenagers would have started their initiation to nicotine with these cigarettes.
A success which is explained by the practical and playful aspect of these objects, which the Alliance against tobacco wishes to see prohibited for sale.
Glazed grape, watermelon-strawberry or even dragon fruit, these are all the tastes that can be found in this tobacco shop which gives pride of place to "puffs", disposable cigarettes with a sweet taste sold with or without nicotine.
These, always very colorful, are arranged on five shelves behind the counter.
It is impossible to miss them because today these electronic cigarettes have become a very important market share for the manager, Cyril.
"In one year, that represents 40% of my vaping sales," he says at the microphone of Europe 1.
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Consumers are mostly young.
The puffs are a hit in front of colleges and high schools when in theory, they are prohibited from sale to minors.
According to a study, nearly three out of ten teenagers would have started their initiation to nicotine with this puff.
Practical and fun aspects
Marco and Théo, 19 and 20, tested it like most of their classmates.
"You have the impression that it's a toy at first. It makes a little light, all that... And it's practical, it's small", explains the first.
If they are of legal age to consume it, this is not the case for everyone.
The two friends often meet teenagers in possession of this famous puff.
"Ah yes, 15 years, of course", suggests Theo.
"There are a lot of young girls who smoke a little of that," says Marco, "it's a small product that doesn't necessarily have nicotine, they're more tempted. Plus, it's disposable," abounds Theo.
It's up to Marco to share his opinion: "It's easy because it lasts an evening, and people who don't smoke and don't buy a pack of cigarettes, they can start buying a puff".
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The Alliance Against Tobacco calls for a ban
The sale is prohibited to those under 18, but according to Jade, it is not very difficult for minors like her to obtain it.
"Already for cigarettes at the base, they don't check too much...", she points out about the sellers.
More than 10% of minors have already consumed disposable electronic cigarettes.
The group of associations Alliance against tobacco is also asking for its immediate ban.