Vape Shops Close in France as Third-Tier COVID Alert Takes Effect

As France officially transitions to the third phase of preventing the coronavirus pandemic, the Prime Minister has ordered all non-essential businesses to remain closed. This means that only food businesses, pharmacies, service stations, banks, and tobacco shops are allowed to operate.

Vape shops were not included in the list of businesses allowed to continue operating, but they can still send orders via delivery or pickup.

A vape shop in Paris announced on Instagram: For any orders and deliveries, please contact us by phone or email. The only exception is vape shops located in shopping malls, as they must close.

Until recently, tobacco shops were allowed to continue operating and requested financial assistance, which has caused frustration among many vape retailers.

Yann Bisiou, a lecturer in private law at the University of Montpellier, stated in an article in L630 that the wording of the decree is ambiguous.

“If there was ambiguity in the drafting of the decree on March 14, 2020, then it can be concluded from the provisions of this article that vape shops are not affected by the ban and can continue their activities unless they are located in shopping malls. 

Jean Moiroud, president of FIVAPE, stated that he has contacted the Minister of Health to request an extension of the authorization to open vape shops “on the basis of public health.”