Emmanuel Macron’s private life doesn’t match his politics

At the top of politics, there is an under-discussed link between politicians’ public positions and their private lifestyles. For example, when former British prime minister Boris Johnson became ill with Covid-19, he subsequently blamed being overweight for the fact that his condition had gotten so bad.

“My friends, I was too fat,” he said at the time.¹ He then lost weight. It wasn’t long before his government unveiled a raft of new anti-obesity policies.²

Sometimes, though, there are apparent contradictions between a leader’s private life and their politics. When a set of photos emerged of Macron working in a casual outfit of a hoodie and plenty of stubble, many people noticed an interesting item in his hand: a vape.³

That shouldn't be surprising. Vaping has increased worldwide, including in France.⁴ It is the best way to quit smoking,⁵⁶as vaping is 95% healthier than smoking⁷ and 200 times less likely to cause cancer.⁸

Also, vaping is cheaper. A smoker who smokes a pack of twenty cigarettes a day will spend about five thousand euros a year. Even individuals who smoke five cigarettes a day spend over €1,000 a year. Vaping would save a lot compared to those numbers. ⁹

Savings like this can change lives during a cost-of-living crisis when many families are struggling to pay their bills and eat. Due to inflation, the Ukraine crisis, supply chain delays, and more, energy bills and food and clothing prices are increasing. Life is growing more expensive, so any way to save money is great.

Vaping appears to have benefited President Macron. Lucky him. Why does he favour nanny state politics that condemn vaping, like a recent European proposal to restrict e-cigarette marketing, especially around flavoured vapes? ¹⁰ Vaping could change millions of French smokers' lives, so the president should support it.

At the heart of this question is a fundamental question of choice. So long as people have access to all the appropriate information and health advice, why should it be the business of any politician what people put into their own bodies? Compounding the issue is the question of smoking versus vaping. They are not the same. When vaping is much healthier than smoking, and used by so many to quit cigarettes, it is surprising, to say the least, that it has become the subject of regulatory ire similar to smoking, rather than a tool in the fight against it.

It is unfortunate that even as society gradually moves away from cigarettes, many people who want to quit cannot because they lack access to e-cigarettes or are not aware of their benefits. Did you know heat-not-burn tobacco is safer than cigarettes? In 2017, the UK Committee on Toxicity reported that heated tobacco products emit 90% fewer hazardous chemicals than cigarettes.¹¹

Due to widespread misinformation, few smokers recognise the benefits of switching to vaping, according to surveys. That's only possible because of unelected, unaccountable political entities like the World Health Organisation, which trashes vaping through its ‘Tobacco Control Project’ (ironically, vaping is tobacco-free).

Fundamentally, the president does not support personal choice and individual liberty as fervently as he should. He and most politicians cringe at the idea that the French should be able to make lifestyle decisions like this without government meddling. Losing control over people is tougher than it looks.

The president should stand firm on vaping. Some French people will prefer to smoke despite its health and financial costs. His support for vaping comes with freedom of choice, so they won't mind.

People who want to quit smoking—likely most of France's smokers—will appreciate the savings. Millions of French people will struggle over the next several months and perhaps longer term due to the inflationary and cost of living problems. Saving money by switching to e-cigarettes could save many. There is no need for Macron to make it more difficult.