FR

France

Substance legality overview · Last updated 2026-03-05

🌿 CannabisILLEGAL⚡ Nicotine PouchesILLEGAL🫧 SnusILLEGAL💨 E-CigarettesLEGAL🔥 Heated TobaccoLEGAL
ILLEGAL

🫧 Snus

Used in Scandinavia for more than 200 years, snus is providing smokers in Sweden and Norway with an alternative to combustible cigarettes. Find out what it is, and why it is considered a safer nicotine product in our briefing paper.

SOURCES

Last verified: 2026-03-04

LEGAL

🔥 Heated Tobacco

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”).

SOURCES

Last verified: 2026-03-04

ILLEGAL

⚡ Nicotine Pouches

Nicotine pouches are a relatively new product which can provide users of high-risk tobacco with an alternative that poses fewer risks to their health. Read more about nicotine pouches in our briefing paper

SOURCES

Last verified: 2026-03-04

LEGAL

💨 E-Cigarettes

In France, e-cigarettes are allowed and regulated both as consumer products and as medicinal products. Online sales of e-cigarettes are permitted, and they are widely available in general retail outlets. However, health claims promoting e-cigarettes are not allowed, and there is a complete ban on all forms of advertising. Unlike some other European countries, France does not currently impose an excise tax on e-cigarette products. The country has a comprehensive regulatory framework governing e-cigarette manufacture and sale. Under these regulations, product notifications are required prior to

SOURCES

Last verified: 2025-11-05

ILLEGAL

🌿 Cannabis

Cannabis is illegal in France. Recreational: Illegal, but on-the-spot fines are usually issued in place of prosecution | Medical: A two-year trial program involving 3,000 patients underway.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. Laws change frequently — always verify with local authorities or a qualified lawyer before traveling or making decisions based on this data.

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