Sales down in France but it could have been worse

Volume sales of cigarettes in France dropped by 5.3 percent last year, according to a story in La Tribune citing initial figures from the tobacconists’ federation.

Volume sales of cigars and cigarillos fell by 4.1 percent, while those of fine-cut tobacco went down 3.0 percent.

Cigarette sales did not fall as sharply as they had in 2013, when they decreased by 7.6 percent to 47.5 billion.

Nevertheless, tobacconists will feel relieved that the prices of cigarettes did not increase at the beginning of this year, as had been expected.

Towards the end of last year, French MPs voted down a tax rise that was to have been imposed automatically from January 1.

The change of heart by the National Assembly came after intense lobbying by tobacconists and manufacturers and required an amendment to the law. 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.

As things stand, the cheapest packs of 20 cigarettes retail for €6.50 each, while more expensive brands retail for about €7.00.