The puff is the latest fashionable disposable electronic cigarette among young people. Increasingly present in front of high schools or colleges, health authorities are concerned about its effects on health and the environment. Thus, they recall that the law prohibits the sale of vaping products to minors, their promotion and that the nicotine level of these products follows strict standards.
The puff, the new disposable electronic cigarette that targets teenagers
From the term ” puff » which means « puff » in English, this news cigarette electronics was born in 2019 in the United States. It becomes available in Europe during the year 2020. In France, it is becoming popular thanks to social networks such as TikTok and Instagram. Puffs have become fashionable among teenagers via their promotion on social networks and the marketing methods used. Colorful and attractive packaging, childish tastes… everything is there to reach the youngest.
Thus, since the fall of 2021, the puffs have imposed themselves in front of high schools, even colleges. However, vaping these disposable electronic cigarettes is far from being a trivial act for health and the environment.
The health dangers of puffs
Young people are more vulnerable to the nicotine contained in a cigarette or a puff
Most puffs contain nicotine, a highly addictive and addictive substance. Their nicotine level varies between 0.09 and 0.17%, if the regulations are respected. Indeed, depending on the level of nicotine it contains, a puff can correspond, on average, to 40 cigarettes. They are also offered at an attractive price for cigarettes, around €8 per pack.
On the other hand, young people are particularly vulnerable to nicotine, due to its effects on brain development. Also, addiction to nicotine may lead adolescents to turn to tobacco use. The puffthe new cigarette electronics, is therefore a real gateway to the smoking.
The health consequences of nicotine are well known. However, scientists continue to evaluate those of other inhalants when vaping a puff.
Regulations are not always correctly respected
Some domestic or foreign manufacturers comply with the regulations in force to create and sell puffs. On the other hand, other products not notified to the French authorities are also accessible to the public, without respecting the regulations:
The sale on the internet allows minor teenagers to buy puffs. However, the law prohibits the sale of vaping products to minors;
There is a strong promotion of puffs on social networks frequented overwhelmingly by young people. However, the advertising and promotion of this type of product is strictly prohibited;
Nicotine levels sometimes exceed the limit (20 mg/mL) set by the French authorities.
Puff and the environment don’t mix
Beyond the many health hazards, puff, cigarette electronic and disposable, is a massive new source of waste. Indeed, it must be sorted in specific places:
In the dump;
In a box for used batteries;
In a box for electronic waste.
These are places that are often difficult to access, making the process of sorting the waste produced by the puffs complicated.
Alexia F., Doctor in Neurosciences
Sources
– “Puffs”, fashionable disposable electronic cigarettes among young people: what are the dangers? ameli.fr. Accessed June 7, 2022.
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