Vaping products

Since vaping products first appeared in the 2010s, their use has grown steadily. In France, more than six out of every 100 adults vape on a daily basis, i.e. more than three million people. What are these products, how are they regulated and what are the risks to our health? Here is an update on ANSES’s work.

What is meant by vaping products?

This term refers to electronic "vaping" devices, i.e. products (or any component thereof, including cartridges and tanks, as well as devices without cartridges or tanks) that can be used with a mouthpiece to inhale an aerosol, often incorrectly referred to as a vapour. Electronic vaping devices, more commonly known as e-cigarettes or vapes, may be refillable or rechargeable. This e-cigarette usually consists of three main parts: an atomiser, an e-liquid tank and a battery. Vaping products also include refill cartridges and containers, i.e. receptacles holding a liquid that may contain nicotine. As the name suggests, refill containers are used to refill an electronic device with the liquid to be vaped.

Most e-liquids registered for sale on the French market have the following characteristics:

consist of a dilution agent such as propylene glycol (PG), glycerol (VG), or possibly 1,3-propylene glycol, and sometimes water and ethanol;
have a nicotine content of between 2 and 20 mg/ml;
contain various additives imparting taste or flavour. The most common are vanillin, maltol, menthol derivatives and esters with a fruity aroma. Sugars and sweeteners (e.g. glucose/fructose and sucralose), acids used in nicotine salts and plant extracts are also found.

Key figures on vaping products (2025 data):

nearly 200,000 products registered since 2016;
around 2000 reporting companies;
more than 2200 substances used as ingredients;
usually between two and 20 ingredients per e-liquid.

What are the practices associated with vaping?

As part of its risk assessment work, ANSES regularly carries out surveys to gain a better understanding of the actual practices associated with vaping.

According to the survey carried out by OpinionWay on ANSES's behalf in October 2023, among 1002 adult vapers, 510 teenage vapers and 272 women who vaped while pregnant:

74% of adult vapers vape every day. More than 50% of young vapers (aged 13-17 years) or women who vaped during pregnancy did so on a daily basis;
59% of adult vapers have been using e-cigarettes for two years or more;
65% of adult vapers also use tobacco;
98% of adult vapers are current or former smokers;
79% of adult vapers use a liquid containing nicotine;
50% of adult vapers use the DIY approach;
The main reported reasons for vaping were to give up smoking, the lower cost compared with cigarettes, the lower impact on health and the sensory pleasure. For pregnant women, the health of their unborn baby was the most important factor in switching from smoking to vaping. Young people are influenced by the latest trends and attracted by the diversity of flavours.

What the regulations say

With the entry into force of Directive 2014/40/EU on 20 May 2016, vaping products such as electronic devices and e-liquids were given a special regulatory framework. Under this framework, the nicotine content of e-liquids is limited to 20 mg/ml and the volume of refill containers to 10 ml. The framework also sets reporting obligations, whereby manufacturers and importers are required to submit information on product characteristics, composition and emissions to the competent authorities before placing the products on the European market. As consumer products, vaping products are subject to the general safety obligation as well as to specific requirements (e.g. regarding banned ingredients, hazardous chemical mixtures and electrical equipment).

> Find out more about the regulations in France.

What are the health risks

Since their introduction, e-cigarettes have prompted scientific and societal debate about the risks associated with their use and their potential benefits in helping people cut down smoking. Epidemiological and experimental studies have been conducted on these questions in order to acquire the necessary scientific knowledge.

In its expert appraisal on the health risks associated with vaping products, ANSES identified possible risks to vapers – mainly cardiovascular, respiratory and carcinogenic effects – even in nicotine-free products. These risks are due to the repeated inhalation of toxic substances present in the e-liquid or formed during vaping. Find out more about the conclusions of this expert appraisal.

What is ANSES doing?

ANSES is carrying out work to improve knowledge of the vaping products marketed in France and to assess the risks associated with this recent practice.

As part of its work to process and analyse the information reported on tobacco and related products, the Agency publishes and regularly updates a list of registered products along with their characteristics and composition, as well as any discrepancies in the information submitted by manufacturers.

Availability of data reported by manufacturers and discrepancies identified (data.gouv.fr)

With a view to conducting an assessment of the risks associated with the inhaled substances, ANSES has carried out several studies to rank the substances according to various hazard criteria and estimate consumer exposure in relation to the different vaping practices.

In its 2026 expert appraisal on the health risks associated with vaping products, ANSES identified possible risks to vapers – mainly cardiovascular, respiratory and carcinogenic effects – even in nicotine-free products.

Find out more

Our article on Tobacco and related products