E-Liquid Tax in France: A Controversial Measure at the Heart of Smoking Cessation Efforts

The French government's recent proposal to impose a tax of €0.15 per milliliter on e-liquids, regardless of their nicotine content, has sparked significant debate and concern within the vaping community and public health sectors. This move, seen by many as a direct response to the lobbying efforts of the tobacco industry, threatens to undermine the progress made in aiding smoking cessation through vaping.

Understanding the Tax and Its Implications

For more than a decade, vaping has been a crucial tool in helping smokers in France quit tobacco. Offering a less harmful alternative to traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes have helped reduce the tobacco industry's customer base by nearly 4 million people. However, the new tax proposal could potentially reverse these achievements by significantly increasing the cost of vaping products.

The proposed tax would increase the price of e-liquids by up to 38% for standard refill containers, making vaping a less financially viable option for many. Notably, the impact of the tax would be uneven across different products. Devices and e-liquids produced by independent companies—which comprise 85% of the market—would face higher relative price increases compared to those offered by big tobacco companies. For example, single-use, pre-filled cartridges produced by the tobacco industry would only see a price increase of 7.5%, despite being less environmentally friendly and generally considered less effective for long-term smoking cessation.

The Tobacco Industry's Influence

Critics argue that the disproportionate effect of the tax on independent vaping products versus tobacco-owned alternatives reveals significant influence of the tobacco industry in regulatory matters. The industry, which currently holds a minority share of the vaping market, seems to be positioning itself to regain ground by advocating for fiscal measures that disadvantage their competitors. This strategy not only threatens the smaller, often more innovative players in the vaping industry but also risks public health by potentially driving former smokers back to more harmful traditional cigarettes.

Public and Professional Reactions

The vaping community and public health advocates are deeply concerned about the potential consequences of this tax. The Fédération Interprofessionnelle de la Vape (FIVAPE) and other industry stakeholders have expressed their opposition, warning of the effects of such a policy on public health and the vaping industry in France. They are calling for a revision of this tax proposal to better align fiscal objectives with public health imperatives.

For more information, please refer to the official publications of FIVAPE and documents from the National Assembly.