Europe : vente illégale de puffs sur Internet

Oct 14, 2024

September 17, 2024

Par: National Committee Against Smoking

Dernière mise à jour: September 16, 2024

Temps de lecture: 5 minutes

Last March, the Swiss Association for the Prevention of Smoking (AT Suisse) alerted the Swiss authorities that the vast majority of disposable electronic cigarettes (puffs) sold in the country did not comply with the law and were sold illegally on online platforms. According to the association, a majority of the devices sold had a liquid reservoir larger than 2ml.

In the European Union countries, as well as in Switzerland and the United Kingdom, closed-system e-cigarettes (pods) or disposable devices (puffs) containing nicotine may not contain more than 2 ml of liquid or more than 20 mg/ml of nicotine.

A investigation conducted by AT Suisse in March 2024 revealed that 108 Swiss websites selling vaping devices were selling puffs whose tank exceeded the authorized limit of 2ml. On average, a 2ml tank allows between 600 and 900 puffs. The study specifies that devices offering 1,500 or 2,500 puffs are commonly available on online sales sites or in stores in Switzerland and more recent models offer 10,000 or even 16,000 puffs. This corresponds to 30ml tanks, or 15 times the authorized legal limit.

This type of device is also found in other European countries. In France, many websites offer similar products. The French website puff-store.fr offers devices with a 14ml tank and a nicotine level of 20mg/ml.

The RandM Tornado brand, sold on several dozen French sites, offers models with a 20ml tank and a nicotine level of up to 50mg/ml, or 2.5 times the legal limit authorized in France.

AT Suisse also noted the circulation on the Internet of products for sale with illegally high nicotine concentrations in the form of salts, up to 60 mg/ml.

Last May[1], Trading Standards Wales said it had seized more than 140,000 electronic vaping devices, sold in toy shops across the country or vape shops. These products can have much higher nicotine levels than permitted and larger e-liquid tanks with devices up to 18ml. However, these products remain available on many UK sites.

The sale of these devices is illegal and affects a large part of European countries. These are easily available in a few clicks delivered across EU countries.

In France, on the sites mentioned above, there is no verification of the buyer's age when purchasing. A study[2] conducted in 2023 by the National Committee against Smoking showed that of the 15 websites monitored, only one site had implemented a reinforced control system to prevent sales to minors. Of the 25 social media accounts monitored, only six had restricted access to content based on age. They prevented access to content to those under 18 in three accounts or to those under 21 in three other accounts. Finally, nine out of ten sites offered the possibility of creating a customer account, without age verification, in order to benefit from additional promotional offers by email or SMS.

As the AT Suisse organization points out, these products are also sold at attractive prices, making them even easier for teenagers to access. For example, in Switzerland, a 600-puff Elfbar puff costs CHF 8 (€8.50) and puffs containing more than 16,000 puffs are barely three times more expensive at CHF 26.90 (around €29).

In France, it is possible to find devices containing 10,000 puffs or more for less than 10 euros, delivered free of charge to your home in less than 48 hours.

AT Suisse denounces the inaction of the Swiss authorities in the face of the accessibility of these illegal products[3]The president of the association, also a national councillor (PS/GE) had already submitted a written question in 2023 on this subject. She warned of the presence of a large number of illegal vaping devices and asked the Swiss authorities, in particular the Federal Council and the Federal Office of Customs and Border Security, to take action to remedy this.

A few days ago, the Jura Parliament[4] (canton of Jura) voted to ban puffs. The deputies hope to put pressure on the federal level for a nationwide ban. Public health actors welcome this measure but believe that it will be difficult to implement, particularly because online sales will still allow minors to obtain them.

©Tobacco Free Generation

AE

[1] Generation without tobacco, Wales: illegal electronic cigarettes sold in toy stores, published on May 20, 2024, consulted on September 12, 2024

[2] Report, CNCT calls for ban on nicotine pouches, sold illegally in France and files a complaint, CNCT, published on May 29, 2024, consulted on September 12, 2024

[3] Luciano Ruggia, Illegal Puff Bars: No Response from Authorities for Six Months, AT Switzerland, published on September 6, 2024, consulted on September 12, 2024

[4] Jura Parliament votes to ban "puffs", RTS, published on September 5, 2024, consulted on September 12, 2024