Key Highlights:
1. The report by the Alliance française contre le tabac (AFCLT), the French Anti-Tobacco Alliance, reveals that 229 internet celebrities have illegally promoted products containing nicotine.
2. More than 24 million people have been affected by illegal advertisements, with a focus on the younger demographic.
3. The French government is planning to ban nicotine products and has classified nicotine pouches as a priority for regulation.
AFCLT reported that since 2019, 229 influencers have been promoting e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches on Instagram, in violation of French laws that have been in effect since 2016, Francebleu reported.
Since June 2023, this ban has been expanded to include all nicotine-containing products, including nicotine pouches. The report from the AFCLT points out that most of these activities are illegal and are aimed at attracting a new generation of consumers.
A report reveals that between 2019 and 2024, 948 promotional posts about tobacco and nicotine products were posted on Instagram, reaching over 24 million people, primarily targeting a young demographic. Brands promoted include Vuse, Blu, and nicotine pouch Velo.
Marion Catellin, the head of the Anti-Tobacco Alliance, stated that:
"The tobacco industry promoting its products on social media without facing any consequences is unacceptable."
AFCLT is calling on the government to quickly ban nicotine pouches and all similar products in the future. They emphasize that in the face of an industry aggressively promoting nicotine addiction, more aggressive measures must be taken.
The French government has designated nicotine pouches as a priority for regulation.
Yannick Neuder, the Health Minister, submitted a draft ordinance to the European Commission at the end of February to ban nicotine-containing products that are consumed orally. This ban will apply to the production, import, and distribution of such products in mainland France and its overseas territories.
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