French Senate Approves Tobacco Tax Hikes

The French senate approved tax hikes on tobacco products, reports The Connexion.

With the measure, lawmakers want to raise funds for France’s social security budget, which faces a deficit of €16 billion next year, and reduce the strain on healthcare services by discouraging smoking.

The tax increases will see the average price of a packet of cigarettes increase to €12.70 in 2025, €0.40 more than envisaged in an anti-tobacco plan outlined by the previous government last year.

The measure is expected to raise around €200 million per year. The government wants a pack of cigarettes to cost  €13 by 2027.

Lawmakers are also considering tax increases for nicotine pouches, nicotine sachets and oral gum/beads, although the health minister is looking to ban some of these products.

The increased taxes should be in place until the products are banned.