ISTANBUL

France on Tuesday officially banned disposable e-cigarettes, known as "puffs," popular among young people.

Passed unanimously by France’s Parliament on Feb. 13, the law aims to curb youth nicotine use and reduce waste, daily Le Parisien reported.

The new measure prohibits the sale, distribution, and free provision of pre-filled, and non-refillable vaping devices. It does not apply to refillable cartridges.

Proposed by former Green Party Deputy Francesca Pasquini, the ban follows two years of legislative work, including consultations with the European Commission.

Lawmakers criticized puffs for targeting young consumers with sweet flavors, colorful packaging, and low prices.

"This market shamelessly targets children," said rapporteur Khalife Khalife from the Republican party.

The National Committee Against Smoking praised the law but warned that manufacturers might exploit loopholes, continuing to sell disposable flavored e-cigarettes with limited recharges.

The ban comes as global concerns grow over the popularity of e-cigarettes and similar devices, which are often marketed as safer alternatives to traditional smoking.

Last year, the World Health Organization urged governments to protect young people from the uptake of tobacco, e-cigarettes, and other nicotine products by banning or tightly regulating the products.