Tobacconists and electronic cigarettes

French tobacconists are allowed to sell electronic cigarettes. They are not specialists, however, and are in no position to advise customers or to handle after-sales problems. Here is what that means in practice.

Lower-quality products?

Several e-cigarette brands supply tobacconists. The devices are sold at attractive, sometimes very attractive prices. But do they really compete with the electronic cigarettes sold in specialist shops?

Not really. The production cost of the electronic cigarettes sold by tobacconists has to stay low for the margins to be worthwhile, and a low production cost usually means quality problems. A good many vapers have reported leaks, liquid coming up into the mouth, and similar faults.

Why do tobacconists sell electronic cigarettes?

Business has been difficult for tobacconists for some years. Between the arrival of e-cigarettes on the market and the announcement of a ten-euro packet for 2020, many of them are unhappy. So, as well as diversifying, some have decided to take the bull by the horns and stock electronic cigarettes.

Having blamed e-cigarettes for a substantial fall in their takings, they hope to make up the shortfall by selling the same products as vape shops.

That said, they carry only a narrow choice of e-liquids and are not in a position to advise a customer. Nor can they answer a technical question or deal with a breakdown, since they are resellers rather than specialists. Buying from a tobacconist is therefore best treated as a stopgap, for instance if you have left your device at home while on holiday or travelling, rather than as a long-term arrangement. Neither the quality nor the choice will give you a fair impression of the product, particularly if this is your first electronic cigarette.