Non-smoking ski resorts: what are the alternatives?
Smoke-free ski areas are coming to Europe, and particularly to France. While the initiative has already existed for several years in North America, Japan, and New Zealand, this is a first in Europe.
Why has a ski resort banned smoking? Will other Swiss ski resorts go smoke-free? And what alternatives are there for skiers who smoke?
At Portes du Soleil, the first ski resort to ban cigarettes
Since December 17, 2022, the Les Gets ski area in neighboring France has been smoke-free. This ski resort on the French-Swiss border, part of the Portes de Soleil ski area, is the first in Europe to ban smoking on all ski slopes and lifts.
The ban was prompted by a litter-picking day during which over 3,000 cigarette butts were collected on the ski area.
Why has Les Gets become a non-smoking ski resort?
There are two main reasons for this smoking ban in the Les Gets ski area:
Environmental issues: The main reason for the smoking ban was the large quantity of cigarette butts found in the ski area. In a few figures, each cigarette butt represents 150 toxic substances for the environment and 10 to 15 years of degradation time.
Passive smoking: Passive smoking can be significant when skiers are grouped together at the bottom of the slopes or in the lift queue. This ban is also intended to protect other users of the ski area.
Will other ski resorts become non-smoking?
Is the Les Gets ski area the only one to be non-smoking? Will other ski resorts in Switzerland or in the Portes du Soleil ski area also decide to ban cigarettes on the ski slopes?
At the time of publication of this article*, no Swiss ski resort has taken the decision to ban cigarettes on the ski slopes. But it's possible that this type of initiative will increase in the years to come.
So what alternative is there to cigarettes on the ski slopes?
VELO, the alternative on the ski slopes
VELO nicotine pouches make it possible to consume nicotine without smoke. In fact, VELO nicotine sachets are the smoke free, ash free, tar free, tobacco free**, hands free alternative** and have 99% less toxicants than a cigarette***.
VELO is a modern way to consume nicotine. Simply place the nicotine pouch in your mouth, between your lip and gums, and leave it there for 30 minutes. This is how the nicotine is released.
With VELO, there's no passive smoking because there's no smoke**, or even vapor!
What's more, the VELO nicotine pouch tin contains a compartment for storing your used nicotine pouches. You don't need to find a trash can right away, you can store your used nicotine pouches before emptying your tin in a trash can later.
VELO is a better alternative to a cigarette**** on the ski slopes. And not just on the ski slopes! VELO is also an alternative to cigarettes when you're traveling.
*This article was published on December 12, 2023.
**This product is not risk-free and contains nicotine, an addictive substance.
***This product is not risk-free and contains nicotine, an addictive substance. Comparison based on an assessment of smoke from a scientific standard reference cigarette (approximately 9mg tar) and components released during use of a Velo pouch, in terms of the average of the 9 harmful components the World Health Organisation recommends to reduce in cigarette smoke.
****VELO nicotine pouches contain no tobacco and do not produce smoke or vapour when used. They generate less odour, no smoke and no ash. This product is not risk-free and contains nicotine, an addictive substance.
