2FIRSTS | Seita’s Julia Neumaier Says France Should Target Vape Access, Not Plain Packaging
Julia Neumaier of Seita argues France should focus on age verification and access control rather than plain packaging for vapes.Summary
Julia Neumaier, general manager of Seita (Imperial Brands' French subsidiary), has expressed opposition to French Bill No. 2726, which proposes introducing plain packaging for all tobacco and vaping products. While acknowledging the need to prevent youth appeal through responsible marketing and design, Neumaier argues that the industry should focus on stricter access controls, age verification, and oversight of online and distribution channels rather than adopting tobacco-style packaging regulations.
The proposed legislation aims to reduce the commercial appeal of vaping products, which lawmakers argue have become de facto advertising mediums through bright colors and youth-oriented imagery. The bill would cover all vaping products, including those with or without nicotine.
Industry perspectives, including those from Oneshot Media, suggest that while responsible packaging is necessary, applying traditional tobacco-control tools to vaping may be inappropriate given its role in harm reduction for adult smokers.
(Source：2Firsts)
