French MPs vote down ‘automatic’ tax increase

Cigarette prices in France will remain unchanged in the new year after MPs voted to throw out a planned 30 cent tax rise, according to a story in The Connexion.

The change of heart by the National Assembly came after intense lobbying by tobacconists and manufacturers.

The automatic tax rise had been due to come into force on January 1 but has now been struck out by an amendment to the law.

It means the cheapest pack of 20 cigarettes will stay at €6.50, with more expensive brands retailing at about €7.00.

Socialist MP Razzy Hammadi said that if the increase had been applied it would have widened the price gap between French cigarettes and those in neighbouring EU states, which would have encouraged more smokers to buy abroad.