The prices of cigarettes are set to rise again for many brands on February 1, 2025, following earlier increases implemented at the start of the year. This incremental rise, which typically sees price hikes of 20 to 30 cents per pack, reflects the French government's continued efforts to discourage smoking amid grim statistics relating to tobacco-related health issues.
On January 1, 2025, numerous cigarette brands increased their prices, with many packs surpassing the €12.50 mark for the first time. For example, popular brands saw their prices adjusted with the Camel Filters and Lucky Strike rising to €12.50, whilst the iconic Marlboro Red reached €13.00. Following this, another increment is on the horizon, markedly affecting brands like Gauloises and Dunhill.
From the 1st of February, the price of Dunhill Reds is set to increase from €13.20 to €13.50, and various other popular products will follow suit. The adjustment applies to both classic cigarettes and rolling tobacco, with the aim of curbing consumption, particularly among young and vulnerable populations.
This change is part of France's broader tobacco control strategy. According to public health data, around 15 million people smoke cigarettes, with approximately 12 million doing so daily. These figures have remained relatively stable, following years of decline, but they signal persistent challenges for public health officials aiming to reduce smoking rates dramatically.
The rationale for these price hikes is primarily centered around public health. Statistics from Santé Publique France indicate around 75,000 annual deaths are attributable to smoking, marking it as the leading preventable cause of death in the country. The government has long recognized price increases as one effective strategy to diminish smoking prevalence, alongside other measures like public smoking bans and advertising restrictions.
The anticipated price hikes are also closely tied to shifts in fiscal policy. Notably, under recent legislation, tobacco prices are now adjusted annually based on the preceding year's inflation rates, significantly affecting consumer pricing strategies. Analysts suggest these changes make France's tobacco market one of the most expensive within the European Union, aiming to precisely target price-sensitive segments of the population to reduce smoking initiation and encourage cessation.
From the consumer perspective, these increases do not come without pushback. Many long-time smokers are expressing frustration, feeling the pinch of progressively higher costs as they attempt to maintain their habits. The economic strain is not lost on buralistes (tobacconists), either, many of whom report concerns about dwindling sales and the potential for increased black market activity, especially as prices continue to rise. The Minister of Budget, Laurent Saint-Martin, previously cautioned against widening disparities between France and its neighboring countries, fearing it could harm legitimate sales channels.
It is also important to note the impact on rolling tobacco prices, which are often considered more budget-friendly options among smokers. Brands like Fleur du Pays will see their prices go from €17.30 to €17.40 for 30g packs, reflecting the overall trend toward increasing tax burdens aimed at tobacco products.
Public sentiment around these increases remains divided. While many health advocates support strict anti-tobacco measures for their potential to save lives, others highlight the economic burden on low-income smokers, who statistically tend to exhibit higher smoking rates and face more significant challenges to quitting.
These price adjustments are part of an extensive anti-smoking campaign launched by the French government, which prioritizes public health enhancement and aims to instigate significant reductions in smoking prevalence. The existing government’s objective is to achieve average prices around €13 per pack by 2027, marking another incremental step toward the long-term aim of significantly reducing tobacco consumption.
Despite the expectation of more price hikes, the government continues to espouse the effectiveness of such measures, emphasizing the necessity of public health regardless of short-term consumer dissatisfaction. With the new measures coming indefinitely, the future of tobacco pricing remains under strict scrutiny as the authorities assess their impact on public health and smoking rates.
For now, consumers prepare for another wave of increased costs, with little indication of immediate relief as regulatory efforts march forward unabated.