The cheapest cigarettes will be taxed a little more thanks to a decree published in Official newspaper this Friday March 10. This raises the amount of the “minimum charge” on cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco, which amounts to an increase in taxes on the cheapest packages.
This increase will concern packets of cigarettes whose price is currently less than 6.60 euros, “or about 40% of brands on the market,” said the Ministry of Health on its site. For rolling tobacco, the increase will be visible on packages “whose prices are less than 8 euros for 30 grams”.
The increase in prices at tobacconists should be passed on within a month and a half after the certification campaign among manufacturers.
A legislative arsenal against the dangers of tobacco on health
This new tax is the latest in a series of increases decided by the government, which made the tobacco control, especially for young people, one of its workhorses. In February rolling tobaccohad increased by one euro.
“After the implementation of the neutral package, these new measures complete the arsenal put in place by the government to protect the youth and prevent entry into smoking (neutral package, obligation to request proof of majority when selling, ban on capsules and flavorings, non-approval of products with an attractive name, etc.) “, recalls the Ministry of Health.
In France, tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death, with 73,000 deaths each year.
Read also: Infographic: the effects of electronic cigarettes on health
An increased risk of stroke linked to electronic cigarettes
Fight against #smoking : the Government increases the minimum collection on tobacco and roll-your-own tobacco ⏩https://t.co/8s4YaZrmhgpic.twitter.com/WEDiINWIVn
– MinSocialSanté (@MinSocialSante) March 10, 2017
