Electronic cigarettes coming to pharmacies soon: Innovative nicotine substitutes on the horizon

This approach aims to help smokers gradually reduce their nicotine dependence and quit smoking. The minister was firm, however, that disposable puffs would be excluded from this measure.

In a recent statement, the Minister of Health even expressed his support for a complete ban on "puffs," the disposable electronic cigarettes that are particularly popular among young people. According to him, these products do nothing to help people quit smoking. MPs are considering proposing this ban during the next parliamentary session.

On the other hand, François Braun is in favor of maintaining nicotine substitutes to help smokers quit. He even plans to extend the possibility of prescribing these substitutes to pharmacists , who are often on the front line to support smokers wishing to give up their habit.

In a context where the role of pharmacists is constantly evolving, this initiative by the Minister of Health reflects a growing trend toward assigning new responsibilities to pharmacy professionals. Increasingly, pharmacists are being asked to play a key role in promoting public health, going beyond simply dispensing medications. They are now essential players in supporting patients toward healthier lifestyles, such as quitting smoking. This development reflects the growing confidence in their expertise and their ability to contribute to major health issues facing society. The extension of their prerogatives to prescribe nicotine replacement therapy in the form of e‑cigarettes is therefore part of this dynamic transformation of the pharmacist's role.

Let us remember, however, that this prescription would exclude "puffs," these colored products which, according to the minister, would be a gateway to increasingly popular tobacco.

Furthermore, the minister expressed his wish to impose a uniform tax on all tobacco products, including heated tobacco and chewing tobacco . This measure aims to align the taxation of these products with that of cigarette packets. It should be noted that Brussels has already proposed banning the sale of flavored heated tobacco.