French Vape Association: FIVAPE, Joins the Independent European Vape Alliance 

The French Vaping Association FIVAPE announced that it will become a member of the Independent European Vape Alliance (IEVA).

The IEVA is the only pan-European association which aims to unite associations, companies, manufacturers and wholesalers in the vaping industry and ensure they are represented at a European level. The association currently brings together 13 international vape companies and 11 national associations from Belgium, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Spain and now France.

President of FIVAPE Jean Moiroud, said that he believes that thanks to this partnership the voices of local businesses can be amplified. “FIVAPE has been at the forefront of responsibility and regulation in the vaping sector, and we believe we can amplify the voice of French vape businesses within IEVA. We hope to tackle our industry’s future challenges together.”

While IEVA President Dustin Dahlmann, said that the association is happy to work with an association representing one of the largest markets in Europe. “We are delighted that FIVAPE has decided to support the work of IEVA. The French vaping industry is one of the largest and most successful in Europe. We very much look forward to working closely with FIVAPE on ensuring robust yet proportionate regulation for our sector.”

A focus on tobacco harm reduction
When in March 2020, French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe announced the closure of all non-essential shops, including vape shops due to COVID-19, Moiroud, had contacted the Minister of Health to request an extension of the authorization to open vape shops “on the basis of public health.”

Subsequently, in a later amendment of the initial decree, vape shops were recognized as “of public interest” and allowed to reopen, as long as they set in place all the necessary precautions to avoid the transmission of the virus.