smoking

A BAN has been placed on tobacco on a popular island to stop people of a certain age from ever buying it.

Called a ‘generational ban’ it means that anyone born after January 1, 2007 is prohibited from buying or using tobacco.

The destination that’s implemented the new rules is the Maldives, and it’s the only place in the world to have done so.

The measure makes it the only country with a generation-wide tobacco prohibition in an effort to promote a ‘tobacco-free generation’.

The ministry said: “Under the new provision, individuals born on or after 1 January 2007 are prohibited from purchasing, using, or being sold tobacco products within the Maldives.

“The ban applies to all forms of tobacco, and retailers are required to verify age prior to sale.”

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The health ministry called the measure a “historic milestone in the nation’s efforts to protect public health”.

It added that the prohibition “reflects the government’s strong commitment to protecting young people from the harms of tobacco”.

The measure is not just for locals, it applies to any tourists visiting the islands.

So for Brits heading to the Maldives, you might find yourself being asked for ID in shops if buying tobacco.

Selling cigarettes to minors will carry a fine of 50,000 rufiyaa (£2,470) for the sellers.

Ahmed Afaal, vice chair of the archipelago’s tobacco control board, told the BBC that he didn’t expect bookings to reduce due to the ban.

He said: “People don’t come to the Maldives because they’re able to smoke.

“They come for the beaches, they come for the sea, they come for the sun, and they come for the fresh air”.

And then added that the Maldives was projecting more than two million tourists in the next year making it one of the world’s most popular destinations.

The banning of tobacco is a new rule, but the Maldives also banned the import, possession and use of vapes last year.

Electronic cigarettes and vapes are completely banned no matter what age you are – and you aren’t allowed to bring them into the country.

You won’t be denied entry if caught bringing one into the country, but it will be confiscated at the border and a customs officer will provide you with a receipt which you must present when you depart the country to have your items returned to you.

Anyone caught vaping in the Maldives will face a 5,000-rufiyaa fine (£247).

These measures apply to all of coral islands in the Maldives, of which there are over a thousand.

A similar generational ban proposed in the UK is still going through the legislative process.

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The Maldives isn’t the only place putting a ban on smoking; another country is set to introduce new strict bans at beaches, restaurants and bars.

For anyone interested in heading to the Maldives, Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski took a holiday there for cheaper than a week at Center Parcs.

THE resort town of San Sebastián on the Bay of Biscay is known for its beautiful beaches, and is making plans to keep it that way.

San Sebastián’s city council has announced that it wants to put new rules in place to conserve its famous coast.

The first rule is a smoking ban across all its beaches, something that is becoming more common in Spain.

If it goes ahead, San Sebastián will become the second town in the Basque region to fully ban smoking on its beaches after Zarautz.

Beaches in San Sebastián could also have new rules when it comes to pets.

During the summer, dogs will only be allowed to walk on the beaches from 9pm until midnight.

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Previously, locals were able to walk their dogs on public beaches between September 1 and May 30 at any time of the day.

Thanks to a growing number of noise complaints, loudspeakers could be joining the ban list too.

The city is inviting its locals to share their thoughts on the new rules from October 20, with the aim of the new rules being fully implemented by June 2026.

San Sebastián has three main beaches, La Concha, Ondarreta, and Zurriola and last year, Which? named San Sebastián Spain‘s ‘best coastal town’.

It was rated on factors like the quality of the beach and seafront, safety, food and drink, accommodation, and value for money.

An overall score was calculated based on satisfaction and the likeliness to recommend each destination, with places ranked out of 100.

San Sebastián claimed first place with an overall score of 88 per cent out of 100. Factors like its beach, attractiveness and food and drink scene were awarded five stars.

The town’s most famous beach is La Concha, a shell-shaped bay very close to the city’s Old Town, while Ondarreta is generally much quieter with calm waters.

Zurriola on the other hand is known for having stronger waves – which makes it a popular spot for watersports.

Meanwhile, the Spanish city of Palma in Majorca is planning on banning another popular tourist activity, boat parties.

The Mayor of Palma, Jaime Martínez Llabrés, has announced new measures to stop tourists from behaving badly in the city.

Party boats will be completely banned from Palma’s sea front where they dock, starting next season.

Mr Martínez added that the local council is working with the Balearic Ports Authority (APB) to determine how the restriction will be enforced.

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Read more on San Sebastian from one Sun Writer who visited…

The Sun’s Nuria Cremer-Vazquez visited sunny San Sebastian earlier this year…

“As I enjoy views from the open-air bar on San Sebastian’s Monte Urgull hill, I can see the wild Bay of Biscay on one wise, and on the other, a panoramic view of the city and its shell-shaped beach.

“If you want to get out and about, there is so much to keep you entertained in San Sebastian, from surfing on Zurriola beach to enjoying the viewpoints at Monte Urgull and Monte Igueldo.

“A charming funicular railway comes in handy if you don’t fancy hiking up the latter. But the best activity is devouring yet more food in the Old Town, savouring the city’s famous “pintxos” scene.

“Pronounced “pinchos”, and most easily described as the Basque version of tapas, these elaborate, bite-sized treats are around €2.50 a pop and found in every bar.

“And regardless of how full you get, no visit to the Old Town is complete without stopping by La Viña, the restaurant where the now-viral Basque burnt cheesecake originated.”

Here’s more on whereabouts in Spain is set to introduce strict new smoking at beaches, restaurants and bars.

Plus the alternative Spanish beach town in the Basque Country with seaside cocktail bar and towering cliffs.

Electronic cigarettes, nicotine pouches, herbal products, shisha pipes and devices used to heat tobacco and other substances would be treated the same as conventional cigarettes under the Spanish govenrment’s new proposals

Smoking and vaping could soon be banned in restaurant terraces and on beaches in Spain.

The Spanish government has approved a draft tobacco law that would ban locals and holidaymakers alike from having a puff on bar and restaurant terraces, as well as on beaches. The law would also prohibit minors from using vapes and related products, and end the sale of single-use electronic cigarettes.

The legislation was signed off by the cabinet on Tuesday morning. The bill still needs to be approved by parliament and could be amended. There is no indication yet of when these measures might come in.

Electronic cigarettes, nicotine pouches, herbal products, shisha pipes and devices used to heat tobacco and other substances would be treated the same as conventional cigarettes.

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Their use would all be banned in enclosed public spaces, as well as in outdoor areas such as bar terraces, stadiums, sports centres, children’s play areas, bus stops and educational facilities.

The health minister, Mónica García Gómez, said the draft law was intended to put Spain “back at the forefront of the fight against tobacco”. Smoking inside bars and restaurants in Spain was banned back in 2010, but since then, progress has been slow.

According to the Global Action to End Smoking report, 24.9% of the population used tobacco in some way in 2022, with higher rates of (27.5%) among men. In contrast, 11% of Brits smoke.

Ms Gómez added: “We know that tobacco claims the lives of 140 people a day in our country, which is 50,000 people a year. I also want to stress that 30% of cancer tumours are linked to the factors that come from tobacco use … We know that the reality has changed when it comes to tobacco and that there are new devices, such as vapes and tobacco-heating devices and nicotine pouches – and this law, for the first time, will regulate all these tobacco-related products, and it will regulate them in a clear and forceful way based on the scientific evidence.”

Holidaymakers looking to pick up some cheap cigarettes are in luck. There is no plan to hike prices in a country where a pack of 20 cigarettes costs less than €6 (£5.20).

Spain’s approach mirrors recent action taken by France in July. It is now illegal to smoke in outdoor places, including beaches, parks, public gardens, outside schools, bus stops and sports venues in France. The legislation, however, excludes café and bar terraces and electronic cigarettes from its restrictions.

Absent from Spain’s cabinet-approved proposal are any requirements for plain packaging on tobacco products. This is a measure that has been adopted by 25 nations, including the UK, according to World Health Organisation data.

SACRAMENTO — Legislation to eliminate student smoking areas on public high school campuses gained final legislative passage Wednesday night and was sent to Gov. George Deukmejian.

The Assembly voted 51 to 22 for the bill, providing 10 more votes than the simple majority required. A spokesman for Deukmejian said that the governor had not yet taken a position on the measure, which passed the Senate on Aug. 14.

Under the bill–which reverses an 8-year-old state policy that seeks to accommodate and control student smokers–pupils found to be possessing tobacco products at school would be subject to suspension or expulsion. Tobacco also would be prohibited at school-sponsored events.

Proponents of the measure said that providing smoking areas on campus makes a mockery of an existing state law making it illegal to sell or give tobacco products to minors.

“It’s sheer, utter hypocrisy that this bill is trying to correct,” the bill’s author, Assemblyman William J. Filante (R-Greenbrae), said during the floor debate.

Assembly Republican leader Pat Nolan of Glendale said, “We’ve outlawed minors (from) smoking and all this is saying is that (law) will be enforced in public buildings called schools.”

The 1978 law that allows school districts to set up campus smoking areas was adopted mainly to move student smokers from the lavatories and into areas separate from other students.

Filante said when the law was adopted eight years ago, health risks associated with the use of tobacco products, such as cigarettes, were not proven.

“We didn’t know what we know today. We didn’t know how much tobacco is involved with disease,” he said.

Opponents argued that the decision to offer smoking areas should be left to local school districts.

“It’s taking away one of the few local controls a school board has and leaving them defenseless. This is a bad idea,” Thomas M. Hannigan (D-Fairfield) said.

Hannigan contended that students who smoke simply will move back into the lavatories and “to the back of school buses.”

“It’s going to shift the problem to some other area of the school grounds,” he said.

About half of California’s 1,096 school districts allow smoking on campus. None of the 49 high schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District permit smoking on campus.

The bill was backed by the attorney general’s office, the California State School Board, and more than 30 health and education organizations.

Many holiday destinations have serious laws on vaping where travellers could be fined or worse jailed on holiday, warnings have been issued to travellers to ensure they know the rules before they fly

These are the holiday hotspots where vapes can land you in serious trouble. Travellers may be fined, detained or even jailed for taking or using their vapes in these countries. The UK have cracked down on their own vaping laws and these popular holiday destinations also have their own that must be taken seriously.

Experts at Vape Ease UK have warned British travellers to check laws before flying as there are many destinations where travellers could be in for a shock and serious action has been taken on vaping. From Thailand and India’s jail time to Mexico and Singapore bans, tourists have been issued serious warnings. It comes after a flight attendant urges tourists to always leave a shoe in their hotel room safe.

Turkey

More than 4.4 million Brits visited Turkey in the last year and due to its popularity it’s necessary to know the vaping laws. The country bans the sale of vapes, whilst using them is allowed only in certain areas like smoking zones. Travellers can only bring one device, spare pods or refill bottles that are no greater than 30ml in volume or up to 10 disposable vapes per person.

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You must also be 19 years old to vape in Turkey. According to globaltobaccocontrol.org, e-cigarettes and e-liquids are also classed as tobacco products so all the restrictions applied to smoking also apply to vaping.

India

Vaping in India has been banned since 2019 when they introduced the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA) which banned everything to do with electronic nicotine products – production, sales, imports, exports, transport, storage and advertisement. E-cigarettes cover all types: refillable vapes, disposable vapes, heat-not-burn (HnB) products, and E-hookahs.

Travellers can face fines, imprisonment or both if caught doing any of the above. First time offenders who violate the ban could face up to one year in prison, or a fine of £1000 or both. For subsequent offences, this would increase to 5 years imprisonment and a fine of £5000.

Denmark

Whilst vaping in Denmark is legal there are certain rules and restrictions that apply: such as the age limit of 18 years old where you can purchase and use vapes. Flavoured E-liquids are banned which came into effect in April 2021, only tobacco-flavoured ones are allowed. Vaping is allowed in public places but not in all areas such as on public transport, schools and childcare facilities, and certain indoor spaces like bars and restaurants may have their own policies so you must check.

UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi)

Vaping is legal in the UAE but must meet the standards set by the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (ESMA). Like most countries you must be at least 18 to purchase a vape in the UAE. There are designated areas where people can vape. If these rules are not followed then penalties can include a minimum imprisonment of one year for serious offences and a fine ranging from £20 000 to £200 000.

Australia

Australia’s approach to vaping is a medical one as of July 2024, all vaping products can only be sold in a pharmacy for the purpose of assisting those that are trying to quit smoking or manage their nicotine. From March 2024, travellers entering the country can only bring a small quantity of vapes with them. The vapes must only be for the traveller’s treatment or someone they are caring for. The maximum allowed is 2 vapes in total, 20 vape accessories and 200ml of vape substance liquid.

Mexico

The sale of vapes in Mexico is generally banned, and there are certain public places where a vape is not allowed in: Indoor public spaces (bars, restaurants, shops and government buildings), workplaces and public transport. When travelling they advise, to pack it in your checked luggage, carry a small amount of e-liquid and if questioned by customs officials to answer any questions about your vape and its intended use.

Thailand

Thailand have some of the strictest rules overall as e-cigarettes are illegal since 2014. Anyone found breaking this law could be arrested and face jail time of up to 10 years or fined up to £700. Travellers are advised not to bring any e-cigarettes with them or any item associated with them. Travellers should be aware of the ban beforehand as tourists in the past have been arrested before having not known.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong state imports, manufacture, and sale of vapes have been banned since 2022 but not the use of it, however laws are set to change by early to mid 2026. Breaking these laws will result in heavy fines of up to £200 000.

Japan

Japan vaping laws are heavily regulated, nicotine e-liquids are classified as medicinal products and travellers can only bring up to 120ml of e-liquid. Non -nicotine vapes are allowed and do not face restrictions. Vaping in public spaces is strictly banned unless in a designated smoking zone. They have strict penalties in place for those who break these rules with heavy fines or imprisonment.

Singapore

Singapore have a zero-tolerance policy with vaping that includes importing, selling or using e-cigarettes as illegal. You can face fines of up to £2300, legal trouble and confiscations at customs if seen with a vape.

A spokesperson from Vape Ease UK warned travellers that the “last thing anyone wants is to be detained or fined on holiday. In places like Thailand and Hong Kong, the laws are shockingly strict. When in doubt – leave your vape behind.” It is not worth the risk bringing your vape on holiday.

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TUI passengers on a flight home from Mexico faced chaos after a couple on board the plane started smoking in the toilet and then began fighting

British holidaymakers returning from a sun-soaked break in Cancun, Mexico, found themselves unexpectedly stranded in the considerably chillier US state of Maine, after two passengers on their flight refused to quit smoking and sparked a brawl.

The pilot of the TUI transatlantic flight bound for London Gatwick was compelled to make an emergency landing on Tuesday, following the discovery of two passengers “smoking in the toilet.”

Despite UK airlines having enforced a smoking ban for the past thirty years, the duo stubbornly continued to light up, even when the pilot threatened to land the plane if they persisted.

Irate passengers aboard the Boeing 787 Dreamliner flight informed the New York Post that the unidentified smokers seemed to be a couple, whose in-flight chaos subsequently spiralled into a fight. “They were obviously drunk, and he basically assaulted his partner,” one fellow passenger revealed.

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All 267 passengers from Cancun were then subjected to an unplanned stopover in Bangor, Maine. Flight recordings disclose the pilot communicating with air traffic controllers, stating: “Cockpit is secure, and there’s two passengers fighting, and the crew has pretty much gotten them under control.”

Within moments, air traffic controllers had rerouted the flight and by 9.30pm, the TUI flight was grounded in Maine with airport officials escorting the pair of smokers off the aircraft.

The travel chaos only intensified for their fellow passengers, who endured an unplanned overnight stay in Bangor before catching another flight home.

They would be waiting until 3pm on Wednesday to recommence their transatlantic trip, eventually touching down safely at Gatwick later the same day.

The two troublemakers who sparked the chaos dodged any charges by US Customs and Border Protection officials, who resolved to send them back on separate flights.

An official from the border agency commented: “This incident involved a foreign-to-foreign flight that was diverted due to an in-flight altercation between two passengers.

“Upon arrival, CBP officers removed both individuals from the aircraft. Although no criminal charges were filed, CBP processed the two subjects for expedited removal.”

Brits are being warned to check local laws in their holiday destinations before setting off as multiple countries impose strict vape bans that could result in a hefty fine or even prison time

As summer holiday season kicks off, British travellers are being urged to double-check vaping laws at their holiday destinations or risk hefty fines, confiscation, or even prison.

While most holidaymakers remember to pack suncream, passports and sunglasses, one everyday item could land you in trouble abroad: your vape. UK-based retailer WizVape has issued a warning for travellers this summer after the UK’s own ban on disposable vapes came into effect on June 1, 2025.

With similar restrictions now appearing across Europe and beyond, vape users could easily be caught out by local laws. “Many travellers are unaware that simply carrying a disposable vape could result in confiscation, hefty fines, or even legal trouble abroad,” says Saif Khan, Director at WizVape.

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“Whether you’re heading to the beach or the city this summer, it’s essential to check the local laws before you fly.”

In Europe, countries such as France and Belgium have already implemented full bans on disposable vapes.

In Spain, vaping may still be legal, but using your device on beaches in Barcelona or Benidorm could see you slapped with a fine of up to €750 (£650).

Other European nations are planning restrictions too. A disposable vape ban in Germany has passed the Bundesrat but awaits parliamentary approval.

Ireland are also expected to implement a ban by the end of 2025. In Hungary, flavoured e-liquids and popular devices like Elf Bars are already prohibited.

“Make sure you’re using a reusable device and have packed enough refills so you don’t need to purchase a non-UK friendly vape for your return,” adds Khan.

Outside Europe, the risks are even higher. In Thailand, tourists face severe penalties for possession of any vaping device – including large fines or even jail time. Other destinations with complete bans include:

• Singapore – fines of up to £1,150 for possession.
• Mexico – devices often confiscated at airports.
• India, Qatar, Brazil and Argentina – strict bans and penalties in place.

Travellers returning to the UK should also be cautious about bringing disposables home. With the UK’s ban now in place, anyone caught with a single-use vape could have it confiscated at the border.

“Don’t assume what’s legal abroad is legal at home,” Khan warns. “Stay informed and travel smart this summer.”

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The plane to London Gatwick from Cancun was diverted almost five hours into the flight

Passengers were left stranded at an airport for over 17 hours a flight was diverted due to a couple apparently smoking onboard. Brit Terry Lawrance, 66, said it was like a “war zone” with passengers camped out on rows of airbeds, after his flight home from Cancun, Mexico, on was grounded.

About an hour after take-off on July 8, the captain of the London Gatwick-bound TUI flight announced two passengers had been smoking in the toilets, and that if it continued, he would have to divert. After another three-and-a-half hours, the captain announced the plane would now be diverting to Bangor International Airport, Maine, US.

They landed at 21.30 local time – and the two alleged smokers were turfed off the flight. But Terry said the other passengers sat in their seats for another five hours and even taxied to take-off, before the flight was abandoned as the original crew were not able to continue to operate the rest of the flight back to Gatwick due to legal working hours.

Consequently, a relief flight was readied immediately, and a new crew were dispatched from the UK to the US to fly everyone back. The passengers were then kept in a room – which Terry claims is part of the military airbase section of the airport – for over 15 hours while the airline works to sort a relief crew.

A flight to take passengers home to Gatwick eventually took off at 15:00 local time (20:00 BST) on Wednesday, July 9 – with all passengers now safely home. Videos taken by Terry show rows of beds as passengers awaited updates, whilst another video shows vehicles approaching the plane after touching down in Bangor.

Terry said: “We were there for over 12 hours – it all went pear shaped. Everybody was fed up. In fairness, they started bringing out airbeds, but it was like free-for-all for vultures.

“It was like a warzone in a lounge – rows and rows of beds. All our luggage was still on the plane whilst we waited. TUI told us a relief crew was being sent from the UK because the current crew had used up their hours.”

Tracking on Flightradar24 shows the plane turning back towards Maine, shortly after entering Canadian airspace. Terry said: “After an hour the captain came on and said someone had been smoking in the toilet – he read the riot act and said if it continues, we’d have to divert.

“About three hours later, around the border with Canada and he came on to let us know that the plane was being diverted to Bangor, Maine. Once we landed, they removed the two passengers.

“They were obviously drunk. The captain then said we’d be getting going again once the paperwork has been done. We were sat on the plane on the ground for five hours – the plane started taxing again and we thought ‘great’ and then they said there was a problem with flight plan, and we have to get off.

“Next thing, we’re not going anywhere, and we’ve got to stay in this small lounge. We waited six or seven hours before we were offered a drink.”

TUI declined to comment.

Gogglebox fan favourite Mary Killen has revealed that she’s become ‘addicted’ to vaping in her 60s, despite having never smoked a cigarette – as she reveals her plans to quit

Googlebox fan favourite Mary Killen has revealed she’s become addicted to vaping, despite never having smoked cigarettes.

The star rose to fame in 2015 on Channel 4’s Gogglebox as she and her husband Giles have the nation in hysterics every week as they sit down to watch the latest TV shows.

Despite knowing the ins and outs on their thoughts on the latest episode of Love Island, fans aren’t privvy to much of the Gogglebox stars’ personal life. However, Mary has now opened up about an addiction she just can’t shift – vaping.

Mary, who says she was never interested in cigarettes, revealed that she picked the habit up two years ago, when her friends son, James, 22, offered her a puff of his Juul. “I loved inhaling the odourless air and blowing it out again. It just looked so chic and felt cooling in the palm of the hand,” Mary wrote in her column for MailOnline.

James allowed Mary to keep the vape, and she later found herself buying replacement pods when it ran out. “I reasoned that it would be good if I were to appear to have at least one addiction.

“I would be ‘levelling myself down’, so to speak, in a way that could make me more socially acceptable in drinking circles,” she wrote.

However, her habit doesn’t come cheap, as she explained in her column that she “wastes about £14 a week on four Juul replacement pods.” She then questioned how to break the expensive habit, which she also admits self-pitying and argumentative when she runs out.

Mary admitted she’d “probably kill or be killed by my family members,” if she tried to go cold turkey – revealing that she was going to sign up to a course to help people quit vaping.

It’s not the only revelation Mary has made in her column. Recently, she told viewers about her controversial sleeping arrangements, telling fans she and Giles allowed the dogs on the bed.

Mary and Giles met when they were both 21 years old while Giles was studying at Wimbledon Art School and Mary was working as a model. The pair have been blissfully married for over 30 years, most of which time they have spent living at their cottage in Wiltshire.

The stars share two grownup children who prefer to stay out of the limelight. However, it was actually one of Giles’ daughters that were originally due to appear on the show with her dad before she backed out at the last minute.

After a lengthy phone call to producers, Giles managed to convince Mary to join the show – and the two have become fan favourites ever since their arrival.

Little more is known about Mary and Giles’ daughters however it has been revealed that they are both grown and no longer live at home with their parents.

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.

A new law will make it illegal to do something that’s common in the UK – and holidaymakers could face a hefty fine if they are caught breaking this rule.

People jetting off to France for their summer getaway must be aware of this crackdown on a common behaviour that some won’t think twice about. From July, French police could hand out fines every time they spot someone breaking the rule.

A BBC report shared that, from July 1, France will get tougher on smokers and implement a major ban on smoking in public places, including beaches, parks and outside schools. The clampdown aims to protect children from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke, reports Wales Online.

According to the NHS, second-hand smoke or passive smoke can damage their health of those around you. The health trust claimed: “People who breathe in secondhand smoke regularly are more likely to get the same diseases as smokers, including lung cancer and heart disease.”

Ignorance won’t be an excuse for rule-breakers who could face a €135 penalty (that’s about £113 or $153). France’s minister for children, health and family, Catherine Vautrin, said enforcement duties have been passed onto the police, but with a nudge that the public should also aim to “self-regulate.”

She told Ouest-France daily: “Tobacco must disappear where there are children”. With around 16.4 million residents in France over the age of 15 smoking, it is a habit deeply ingrained in French culture, revealed by a Global Action to End Smoking stat.

The French government isn’t taking this ban lightly, and plans are in the works to ensure people take note through signs and campaigns promoting good practice. This move extends the smoke-free zones already in place across parts of France, which has seen smoking banned in restaurants and clubs since 2008.

Brits visiting France may find it tricky to break their habits with the new rule, as the UK’s smoking laws only apply indoors. Since July 2007, smoking in enclosed public spaces and workplaces has been banned in the UK.

However, in 2024, the BBC reported that the UK Government is contemplating similar measures by extending legislation in England to outdoor areas like playgrounds and hospital grounds to “protect children and the most vulnerable from the harms of second-hand smoke”.

In France, once the new law is in place, smoking will still be permitted in outdoor areas of cafes and bar terraces. While electronic cigarettes are not included in the ban, the country is set to tighten vaping regulations soon.

Hotels typically allocate a few rooms for smokers. If you don’t specify you want one upon booking, you’ll be placed in a non-smoking room, according to the French Rivera Traveller.

The BBC said that, according to the French Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, nearly a quarter (23.1%) of the French population smokes daily. France’s National Committee Against Smoking adds that over 75,000 smokers die annually from tobacco-related illnesses – 13% of all deaths.

A recent report by the French cancer association La Ligue Contre le Cancer reveals that almost 80% of French people support a ban on smoking in public places like woodlands, beaches, parks, and terraces.

DISPOSABLE vapes are being sold for as little as 29p in a “crazy” fire sale before they are banned this weekend. 

It means they are being flogged for less than a Cadbury’s chocolate Freddo bar — which now costs 30p in supermarkets. 

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From Sunday it will be illegal to sell single-use e-cigarettes in the UK under new laws to protect kids and reduce landfill. 

But online sellers are desperate to avoid being stuck with illegal stock with £200 fines looming. 

One site boasting a “UK Vape Bargain Blast” is selling Flavaah Bar disposable vapes for 29p each, down from £5. 

Elf Bars are on sale for 49p each, also down from a fiver. 

And a packet of 20 e-cigs can cost just £10, which would have been £100 a year ago. 

Kate Pike, from the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, told The Sun: “This is crazy. 

“We are anticipating a challenging spike in illegal operations and supply during the changeover. 

“Shops have been warned and told to run down their stocks and I’ve seen some unbelievably low prices. 

“This is an addictive product and we shouldn’t be selling them for these prices, but they aren’t doing anything wrong at this stage.” 

Campaigners We Vape said it showed the new law will create a black market and is “impossible to enforce”. 

Ministers have brought in the rule as part of a drive to deter children and teenagers, who often use single-use vapes in fruity flavours, with flavours also set to be banned. 

They also acted on environmental concerns about huge amounts of plastic and lithium batteries being thrown out, with an estimated one million vapes binned every day. 

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VAPING is more addictive than nicotine gum and has a “high potential for abuse”, experts warn.

A study by West Virginia University in the US found that young people enjoy vaping more than chewing gum, which makes it more addictive.

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E-cigarettes were originally invented to help smokers quit tobacco and reduce their risk of cancer.

However, use of the gadgets rocketed in people who never smoked and has become an addiction in its own right.

The study tested the effects of e-cigs and nicotine gum in 16 current or former smokers aged 18 to 24.

They had no nicotine overnight and then chewed gum for 30 minutes or used a vape in the morning, before answering questions about their cravings.

Lower cravings & higher satisfaction

Results showed that people who used vapes rated their cravings and withdrawal feelings significantly lower than gum users, and rated their personal satisfaction higher.

This suggests the e-cigs have a stronger effect which may make it easier to get hooked.

Study author, PhD student Andrea Milstred, said: “Today’s electronic cigarettes have great potential to produce addiction in populations that are otherwise naive to nicotine.

“This often includes youth and young adults.”

The British Government plans to outlaw disposable vapes and crack down on the flavours that are allowed, in a bid to make them less appealing to teenagers and young people.

Writing in the journal Nicotine and Tobacco Research, Ms Milstred suggested vaping might be more addictive than gum because it uses a form of nicotine that does not taste as bitter or harsh.

What are the new vape laws?

Ministers have pledged to crackdown on poorly regulated vapes and e-cigarettes following an explosion in the number of teenagers who use them.

New rules for manufacturers and shopkeepers are expected to come into force in late 2024 or early 2025.

They are set to include:

• Higher tax rates paid on vapes increase the price and make it harder for children to afford them
• A ban on single-use vapes in favour of devices that can be recharged
• A ban on colourful and cartoonish packaging that may appeal to youngsters
• Tighter controls on flavourings and a ban on unnecessarily sweet or child-friendly ones like bubblegum and candy
• More regulation on how and where they are displayed in shops, potentially putting them out of sight
• Harsher penalties for shops caught selling them to under-18s

The ban on disposable vapes is part of ambitious government plans to tackle the rise in youth vaping.

A report published by Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) last June found 20.5 per cent of children in the UK had tried vaping in 2023, up from 15.8 per cent in 2022 and 13.9 per cent in 2020.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt also announced plans to impose a tax on imported e-cigs and manufacturers, making vapes more expensive.

The duty will apply to the liquid in vapes, with higher levels for products with more nicotine.

A MUM who was “proud” to quit smoking after 20 years has been “left on her deathbed” and will die if she lies down – after taking up vaping for a year.

Loyda Cordero Faliero, 39, says she made the switch from smoking cigarettes to vaping around 18 months ago because she “thought it would be the healthier option”.

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But at the start of March 2025 – after vaping “24/7” for “little over a year” – she was rushed to the emergency department after her oesophagus “closed-up” and she choked on a sip of her drink.

Loyda was diagnosed with pulmonary bullae [large air spaces] in her lungs and a collapsed lung, which doctors told her was a result of a build-up of fluid from vaping.

The 39-year-old says doctors told her it could “kill her at any moment” if the sacs were to rupture and has to sleep sat up as she could choke to death if she lies down.

Loyda was advised to avoid any physical activity and claims she was told that even lifting a gallon of milk (eight pints) would be too strenuous as it could increase the risk of one of the air-filled sacs rupturing.

The mum-of-two was forced quit vaping in order to be eligible for surgery to remove the sacs from her lungs – and was warned that if she continued the habit then she might not be alive in five years’ time.

Loyda, who is now recovering from the potentially life-saving surgery in hospital, says she wants to warn others of the dangers of vaping.

Speaking before the surgery, Loyda, from Franklinville, New York, US, said: “My doctor said that my lung collapsed because they were building up with the liquid from my vape and one of the pulmonary bullae ended up rupturing.

“My oesophagus is out of place to where the pulmonary bullae sac is putting pressure onto that and if that ruptures, it could cause a bleed on the brain or internal bleeding which could kill me instantly.

“It’s causing a lot of problems. If I lay down when sleeping instead of sitting up I can choke to death on my own spit or I can suffocate and die.

“I literally have to sit up in bed or on a recliner when I sleep because I’m no longer allowed to sleep lying down until after the surgery – it’s pretty much a life or death situation.

“It’s made me very emotional. I quit something thinking that it was going to be healthier but unfortunately it destroyed me more than it benefited me.

“I was so proud of myself for quitting cigarettes and going to something which I thought was healthier.

“I have two grown kids and even if they’re grown, I’m still a mum. I still have responsibilities and I still want to be here for my grandkids.

“Basically I’m on my deathbed and it’s a ticking time bomb waiting to go off.”

Loyda says she experienced breathlessness, nausea, dizziness and pain in the weeks before her hospital admission – but had put it down to her poor overall health.

After receiving the diagnosis, she says she was ordered by doctors to stop all physical activity in order to reduce the risk of one of the pulmonary sacs rupturing and killing her.

Vaping is 100 per cent more dangerous than cigarettes

Loyda Cordero Faliero

Loyda continued: “I’m not allowed to be active at all as in cleaning, washing dishes or going up and down the stairs.

“They say that even lifting a gallon of my milk is overdoing it for my body because the way that my lung has collapsed, it flares me up really bad.

“I can’t even cook dinner or stand up to do dishes because by the time I’m done with dishes I’m literally crying in pain and gasping for air.

“It really has taken over my life more than I ever thought it would.

“I was told my doctors that I had to quit vaping in order to be accepted for surgery.

“And I can’t go back to smoking after the surgery because this is just going to happen to me again.

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“I’m going to be stuck with this health issue for the rest of my life.

“The doctors said that if I carried on vaping then within the next five years I would end up on life support and I wouldn’t make it because of how badly this damaged my lungs and how badly the liquid has built up in my lungs.”

After giving up vaping completely, Loyda underwent surgery to have the pulmonary sacs removed from her lungs on April 30.

She is now recovering in hospital and wants to help raise awareness and warn others of the potential health problems vaping can cause – and says she believes that it is both more dangerous and harder to quit than smoking cigarettes.

Loyda said: “With a cigarette, you can put it out and do what you’ve got to do but with a vape it’s like a cell phone – it’s literally stuck in your hand 24/7 and you’re hitting it even when you don’t want to hit it just because it’s there.

“It’s horrible. Vaping is 100 per cent more dangerous than cigarettes.”