About

28.7% of the adult population are current smokers

There are approximately 15.2 million current smokers in France

Quick links to detailed datasheets for France
Country profile
Data sourced: 2022.   Page updated: 2023-10-10

Smoking in France

The overall smoking prevalence in France has gone up since 2006. 34.6% of the adult population in France are current smokers, up from 33% in 2006. This means there are now approximately 18.4 million smokers in the country. 36% of men smoke, whilst for women this figure is 33.2%.

The most recent data show there were 73,545 annual deaths attributable to tobacco smoking (approximately 18,800 women and 54,700 men). The annual percentage of all deaths attributable to tobacco smoking was 15.4% (women: 6.4%; and men: 18.5%).

Nicotine vapes (e-cigarettes) are legal in France and there are 3 million vapers in the country, giving an adult vaping prevalence of 5.59%. There is a requirement to ensure vape packaging contains a health warning, and vapes can only be sold to those aged 18 and older. Vaping devices can be purchased without a prescription but there are legal restrictions on their use in public places.

Heated tobacco products are legal and can be marketed, but the situation is a bit more complicated for snus. While it is illegal to import snus for trade or buy the product online, it is possible to import it for personal use.

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products can be marketed and are available to buy in pharmacies. The NRT market in France is worth €125 million.

For further information and full references, click through to the detailed datasheets above.

73,545

Deaths

73545 people in France die from tobacco smoking-related diseases each year.

125 million €

Market size of NRT.

Estimated NRT market size is 125.0 million €.

Nicotine Vaping Devices

in France

France abides by the EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) (2014). E-cigarettes may be brought to market either as medicines, or as consumer products. There are no products that have yet been licensed as a medicinal product. As consumer products, e-cigarettes are regulated by the decree of 19 May 2016 on vapor products containing nicotine. The French interpretation of the TPD is that the limit on tank size only applies to pre-loaded tanks as in pods and cigalikes. As consumer products, e-cigarettes cannot be sold in pharmacies. Cross-border sales of e-cigarettes are legal. Advertising is not allowed including on billboards, TV, radio or shopfronts: it is allowed only inside shops. Since 2017, vaping has been prohibited in educational institutions, on public transport and in open plan offices, although vaping is legal in bars and restaurants. People who flout the bans can be fined between €35 and €150. E-cigarettes are not included in the General Tax Code and there is no excise tax on e-liquids.

Heated Tobacco Products

in France

In France, Article 19 of the EU Tobacco Products Directive, covering novel tobacco products, covers heated tobacco products. Regulations cover reporting, notifications and health warning labels. In addition, France taxes heated tobacco products under the classification “Autres tabacs à fumer” (“Other smoking tobacco products”).

Nicotine Replacement Therapy

in France

Estimated NRT market size is 125.0 million €. In France you don't need a prescription to purchase NRT. Advertising NRT is allowed. You can buy NRT in Pharmacy.

Snus

in France

The sale of Snus is banned. Use of Snus is permitted by law in France.

Pouches

in France

Pouches are allowed.

The GSTHR database is updated regularly by our team. However, please be aware that the information we provide does not constitute legal advice. We cannot guarantee that the information is up to date or accurate, as the regulatory status of different product categories can change at short notice and with little publicity. If you wish to check the legal status of use or possession of any safer nicotine product in a specific country or region, you should verify the information independently. If you have reason to think that the information supplied on the GSTHR is inaccurate, please contact us with details and any references and we will rectify any errors.