Indian Motorcycle Premium Cigars, produced under licence by Phil S. Zanghi III, launched in France under an exclusive distribution agreement with Volutes et Vitoles, according to Halfwheel. The cigars, manufactured at the De Los Reyes factory in the Dominican Republic and available in three blends, went on sale in the French market last week, marking their first availability in the country. Zanghi described France as a key global premium cigar market and said the partnership with Volutes et Vitoles is intended to strengthen brand presence and support expansion across all Indian Motorcycle cigar lines in the region.
Tag: France
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France Seizes 15 Tons of Tobacco in International Ring Bust
French authorities dismantled an international tobacco trafficking network linked to Bulgarian nationals following a year-long investigation that began in July 2024 with the seizure of 15 tons of illicit cigarettes in western France. The operation uncovered a structured smuggling route moving illegal cigarettes from Italy and Bulgaria through France to Belgium. Investigators later seized 450 kg of cigarettes and 14.7 tons of raw tobacco at a warehouse near Brussels.
Earlier this month, police arrested the suspected convoy organizer and two lorry drivers, confiscating nearly 30 tons of counterfeit cigarettes from two trucks. Six people associated with this network have been charged with organized tobacco trafficking, criminal conspiracy, and money laundering, with three Bulgarian suspects placed in provisional detention.
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France Suspends Decree Banning Nicotine Pouches
France’s Council of State suspended a government decree that would have banned the manufacture, sale, and export of nicotine pouches from April 2026, pending a full legal review. The decision follows a challenge by EVLB Group, which argued the decree violated EU free trade rules and gave manufacturers insufficient time to reorganize operations. The court agreed, ruling that companies should have been granted a longer transition period and suspending the decree until a final judgment, expected by June 2026.
The Council of State noted, however, that the marketing of nicotine pouches is already prohibited under France’s Public Health Code outside pharmaceutical use, meaning the suspension is unlikely to change current retail conditions. The Health Ministry said it takes note of the ruling and emphasized that the ban on marketing and possession remains in effect for now, while industry groups welcomed the pause as an opportunity for a more thorough review of the products.
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EU to Tighten Cross-Border Tobacco, Alcohol Limits?
Several EU member states have proposed tightening single-market rules on the personal import of tobacco products, as part of discussions on revising the Tobacco Taxation Directive (TED), according to Euractiv. Denmark, which holds the EU Council presidency, floated the idea in early December, suggesting stricter limits on cross-border tobacco imports under Article 32 of the Excise Duty Directive, alongside more moderate tax increases. The move aims to curb cross-border shopping that undermines high-tax anti-smoking policies in countries such as France.
Currently, individuals can import up to 800 cigarettes for personal use. A number of countries, including France, Germany, Finland, and Estonia, have expressed openness to lowering this threshold, with some also supporting limits on alternative tobacco products like heated tobacco.
The European Commission has been cautious, indicating that changes to Article 32 may fall outside the scope of the TED. Some member states have also noted that the rules apply to alcohol as well, prompting calls from countries such as Finland, Estonia, and Germany to extend any revisions to alcoholic beverages.
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French Lawmakers Reject Vape Tax
Yesterday (October 22), the Finance Committee of France’s National Assembly voted to reject the government’s proposed tax on vaping products outlined in the 2026 draft budget. The measure, included in Article 23, sought to introduce a levy of €0.30 per 10mL for low-nicotine e-liquids and €0.50 per 10mL for higher-nicotine products, a move strongly opposed by several deputies who cited vaping’s lower health risks compared to smoking.
Lawmakers across party lines defended vaping as a harm-reduction tool. Aurélien Le Coq of La France Insoumise argued that “electronic cigarettes, even if they carry risks, are much less harmful than tobacco,” suggesting the proposed tax reflected the influence of the tobacco lobby. Pierre Cazeneuve of Ensemble pour la République, speaking as a former smoker, also opposed the measure, saying that vaping plays a key role in helping people quit. However, Perrine Goulet of Les Démocrates countered that vaping could act as a “gateway to smoking for young people,” and supported moderate taxation to curb youth use.
The committee ultimately adopted an amendment from the Republican Right group to keep vape taxes at 0% for 2026, a partial win for the vaping industry. However, challenges remain: lawmakers approved a ban on online vape sales, which currently account for up to 30% of the French market, and the European Union is preparing to introduce a bloc-wide vape tax starting January 1, 2028. The decision will next move to the full Assembly for debate and confirmation in the coming weeks.
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BAT France Points to Anti-Smoking Policy Failure
BAT France told lawmakers today (September 24) that France’s reliance on over-taxation and outright bans risks fueling the illicit nicotine market while failing to cut smoking rates, which remain stubbornly above 30%. “This excessive tax policy has, above all, encouraged criminal, structured, and industrial smuggling,” said Sébastien Charbonneau, director of public and regulatory affairs. He added that the government’s planned ban on tobacco-free nicotine pouches would repeat past mistakes, driving consumers to the black market without advancing public health or protecting minors.
Instead, BAT France urged a pragmatic approach focused on strict but balanced regulation. The company called for a framework that prohibits sales to minors, limits nicotine content and flavorings, enforces retail controls, and applies substantial penalties for violations.
“The State has a moral duty to adopt the principle of harm reduction related to smoking to allow adult smokers to have access to alternatives to tobacco, and to do so legally,” Charbonneau said. “All we are asking is to look at the scientific data and regulations that have enabled many countries to achieve their public health objective.”
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BAT France Wants Coordinated EU Approach on Nicotine Pouch Regulation
In response to the European Commission’s proposal last month to include nicotine pouches under the Tobacco Excise Duty Directive, BAT France said it welcomed the initiative, marking the first time these tobacco-free alternatives were recognized in EU taxation. However, while acknowledging the move as a positive step for adult smokers seeking reduced-risk products, BAT France warns against two major risks: disproportionate taxation that could limit access, and the possibility of some member states, including France, acting unilaterally to ban these products.
“It is important that nicotine pouches are recognized in European law,” said Sébastien Charbonneau, director of public affairs at BAT France. “But it is essential to adopt a differentiated tax approach that reflects their potential role in reducing risks for smokers.”
BAT France highlighted Sweden’s experience, where nicotine pouches have contributed to one of the lowest smoking rates in Europe. The company stressed that excessive excise duties and unilateral bans could undermine public health goals, create trade barriers, and fuel illicit markets.
The company called for risk-proportionate taxation, transparent parliamentary debate in France, and a coordinated EU-wide regulatory approach to support reduced-risk alternatives while respecting the single market and democratic process.
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BAT France Welcomes New Standard for Nicotine Pouches
BAT France praised the introduction of the new AFNOR experimental standard XP V37-500, which sets out strict guidelines for nicotine pouches to ensure product safety, quality, and consumer transparency.
Developed with input from industry experts, researchers, and manufacturers, the standard outlines requirements in five key areas:
- Product Composition: Only food or pharmaceutical-grade ingredients are permitted. Nicotine must be naturally derived and capped at 16.6 mg per pouch.
- Manufacturing: Good manufacturing practices (GMP) and full traceability of raw materials are mandatory.
- Toxicological Evaluation: Each ingredient, including impurities and packaging, must undergo a toxicological risk assessment.
- Packaging: Materials must comply with European food safety standards and be tamper-proof.
- Labelling: Products must clearly display nicotine content, ingredients, allergens, and include addiction warnings.
“A rigorous standard like the XP V37-500 provides a guarantee of quality, a guarantee of quality and reliable transparency for products intended for adult consumers, sold in a network of trained professionals,” said Sébastien Charbonneau, director of public affairs for BAT France.
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France Announces Public Smoking Ban
Over the weekend, France officially banned smoking in public parks, beaches, bus shelters, and within 10 meters of schools, libraries, and swimming pools, as part of a push “to protect children from secondhand smoke and move toward a tobacco-free generation by 2032.”
Effective June 29, the new law introduced fines of up to €700 for violations. Smoking is still allowed on bar and restaurant terraces, and electronic cigarettes remain exempt.
Health Minister Catherine Vautrin said the ban is meant to ensure public spaces remain places to “play, learn, and breathe — not for smoking.” While many welcomed the move, some smokers and café associations criticized the exemption for terraces and the lack of clarity on vaping.
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Luxembourg Sees 17% Surge in Cigarette Sales as Buyers Cross Border
Legal cigarette sales in Luxembourg jumped by 740 million units in 2024, marking a 17% year-on-year increase, according to a new KPMG report on illicit cigarette consumption across Europe. Despite the surge, only 12% of the 5.1 billion cigarettes sold were smoked within the country, as the remaining 88% were consumed across the border, mostly in Germany, Belgium, and France, where significantly higher tobacco prices continue to drive cross-border purchases.
Luxembourg’s average cigarette pack price of €5.10 undercuts neighboring countries by up to €3, and is less than half of the cost in France.
While cigarette consumption is booming, illicit trade remains low. Fewer than 9 million cigarettes consumed in Luxembourg were illicit—just 2% of total consumption. By contrast, France’s illicit cigarette rate has climbed to 38%, among the highest in the EU, as high prices fuel a parallel underground market.