Perhaps you have already seen its colorful packaging at the tobacconist's or in supermarkets? Perhaps you have seen middle school or high school students using it? The “Puff” (from the English word “puff”) is a disposable electronic cigarette created in the United States in 2019. It works in the same way as an electronic cigarette, but its tank cannot be refilled with e-liquid. It is therefore disposable. It creates an aerosol that is inhaled by the user. As with refillable electronic cigarettes, Puffs e-liquid may contain nicotine. This liquid contains several substances: propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, water, alcohol, flavorings, etc.
Puff has become fashionable among teenagers: 10% of French 13-16 year olds tried it in July 2022. As of April 2023, Puff can be sold in France in tobacco shops, supermarkets, online, in e-cigarette stores, etc.
It is particularly appealing to young people due to its many fruity and sweet flavors (“hazelnut,” “red berries,” “marshmallow,” etc.), its colorful packaging, and its attractive price (€10 to €12 per Puff). It has been widely promoted to young people via social media and influencers. It can be used discreetly by teenagers in high schools and middle schools.
What are the dangers of Puff?
– Puffing may cause young people to become accustomed to the act of smoking and to easily lead to addiction, particularly among young people. Many middle and high school students today say they are “addicted” to vaping. - Nicotine consumption in vaping (as in cigarettes) by young people can have harmful effects on a developing brain such as learning disorders, sleep disorders, etc. - Users of nicotine-containing Puffs are also at risk of becoming addicted to nicotine and starting to smoke. Vaping can therefore become a gateway to smoking for young people who do not smoke, even though smoking rates among middle and high school students in France are currently declining.
– The liquid inhaled by Puff users, as with any electronic cigarette, remains irritating, even though it does not contain tar or toxic substances associated with tobacco combustion. – Puff contains plastic and a lithium battery and is therefore a source of toxic pollution for the environment, especially since it is disposable.
The National Academy of Medicine warned against the dangers of vaping in its statement dated February 28, 2023. It issued several recommendations: the need to inform the public, particularly middle and high school teachers, about the dangers of vaping; the need to strengthen regulations on the sale of vaping products to protect young people (sales to minors are already prohibited under the Public Health Code); increased taxation; and neutral packaging.
The AAT (Alliance Against Tobacco, a federation of anti-smoking associations in France) wants to ban vapes in France.
At the end of 2022, the National Assembly introduced a bill to ban single-use vaping devices.
Important notes to conclude:
- The National Academy of Medicine recommends that disposable and non-disposable e-cigarettes should only be used by tobacco smokers as part of a smoking cessation program.
- The sale of e-cigarettes to minors and advertising for e-cigarettes are prohibited by the Public Health Code (Articles L.3513-1 and nexts).
References:
- “The ‘Puff’, a new disposable e-cigarette: a trap for children and adolescents,” Press release from the National Academy of Medicine, February 28, 2023.
- « La bouffée de cigarette : l'Académie de médecine met en garde contre les dangers », LM Agudelo, Revue du Praticien, 03/10/23
- Alliance Against Tobacco website (accessed in April 2023): https://alliancecontreletabac.org /
- Public Health Code: Articles L.3513-1 et seq.
- I declare that I have no conflict of interest in writing this article.
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