E-Cigarette Use Rises Among French High Schoolers

Driving schools in France are facing administrative delays due to a shortage of NEPH numbers required for practical training and theory exams. Additionally, nitrous oxide canisters, often referred to as laughing gas, are being found in rivers and seas, creating both a health and ecological issue. The SOS Périscolaire collective has received over 500 testimonies of sexual, physical, or psychological violence involving extracurricular activities. One report from Angoulême involves a father alleging an animator touched his daughter during a nap. The collective's founder, Elizabeth Gutmann, is calling for a national roadmap to address these issues. Reported incidents include cases in Haute-Garonne, Alpes-Maritimes, Meurthe-et-Moselle, and Charente. Elizabeth Gutmann, founder of the collective, stated that more than 50% of municipalities have not declared their extracurricular programs as 'périscolaire' to Genèse Esport, leaving them under 'garderie' status. This classification means these programs are not subject to Genèse Esport oversight, making it difficult for families to report issues to local mayors. This trend is observed among both female and male students. The data was reported by Éric Biegala. E-cigarette usage among French high school students increased from 2.8% to nearly 7% in 2024. Conversely, the consumption of traditional tobacco cigarettes has seen a clear decline among the same demographic.