France, Feb. 4 -- Anses, France's public health and food safety agency, said vaping is often seen as an alternative to smoking but is "not without risks" for health.

About 6 percent of people in France vape daily, or more than three million people, according to 2024 figures from Sante publique France, the national body responsible for monitoring population health.

While the harms of tobacco are well documented, Anses said the health effects of vaping are less well known, particularly in the medium and long term.

Scientific studies suggest vaping "is associated with possible health effects in the medium and long term", notably for the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, it said- adding the risks are linked to repeated inhalation of ...