Nearly 10,000 “puffs” withdrawn from sale during a control campaign in France

Banned for over a year, the “puffs” are putting up resistance. Nearly 10,000 disposable electronic cigarettes have been withdrawn from sale following a vast inspection campaign, announced this Monday the Fraud Repression, behind these operations. The marketing of these products, better known as “puffs”, has been banned in France since February 2025.

The Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) checked 491 professionals, primarily targeting distributors, but also wholesalers, manufacturers and importers. In total, 86% of the establishments inspected were in compliance. According to the administration, businesses, particularly networks specializing in vaping and tobacconists, have for the most part “well anticipated” the ban and quickly adapted their practices.

In 70 businesses, however, investigators discovered that disposable electronic cigarettes continued to be offered for sale. Some professionals hid them, without displaying them in windows, while allowing customers to buy them. In other establishments, the DGCCRF noted a lack of awareness of the regulations: some distributors wrongly thought that only products containing nicotine were affected by the ban.

Strict regulations

Of nearly 10,000 disposable electronic cigarettes found in circulation during checks, the majority were withdrawn from sale and more than 1,000 were seized by agents. Around fifty establishments were subject to sanctions or administrative measures. Around forty compliance injunctions were issued in order to stop their marketing, while seven criminal proceedings were initiated, particularly when the sale was knowingly concealed. Eighteen warnings were also sent to professionals who were unaware of the regulations.

“Puffs”, particularly popular with young people due to their colorful formats, their sweet or fruity aromas and their high visibility on social networks, have been banned for both health and environmental considerations. The Directorate General of Health recalls in particular that exposure to nicotine can have negative effects on the brain development of young people.

More broadly, vaping products remain subject to strict regulations. Their nicotine content is limited to 20 mg/l, safety requirements and health warnings are imposed and their sale to minors is prohibited, whether or not they contain nicotine. The DGCCRF and the DGS finally call on consumers to remain vigilant when purchasing online and remind that used electronic cigarettes must be returned to a suitable collection point or to a distributor, and not thrown away with household waste.