France Announces No Price Increase For Cigarettes in 2024 And Plans To Ban Disposable E-cigarettes

Overseas Network, September 5th - French Prime Minister Elizabeth Borne announced that cigarette prices in France will not increase in 2024.
According to the Parisian newspaper, Elizabeth Borne confirmed in an interview with French media on the 3rd local time that she does not plan to raise tobacco taxes in 2024. For smokers, this is a breathing opportunity, as the price of each pack (20 cigarettes) of cigarettes in the French market has increased by 20 to 70 euro cents (approximately 1.6 to 5.4 yuan) in 2023. In the past 10 years, the price of French tobacco has increased by 70% and has now reached the symbolic threshold of 11 euros (approximately 85 yuan) per pack, making France one of the most expensive countries in the European Union for tobacco prices.
But Elizabeth Borne explained that not rising tobacco prices in 2024 does not mean that the country is not vigilant about tobacco consumption. 75000 people in France die from smoking related diseases every year, which is a high number.
Elizabeth Borne announced that the authorities will implement a "National Tobacco Control" plan. As part of this plan, the French government hopes to ban disposable e-cigarettes, which are highly favored by young people. According to a study by the French Anti Tobacco Alliance, 13% of young people in France consumed this disposable e-cigarette in 2022. Elizabeth Borne explained that these e-cigarettes "bring bad habits to young people," and they may then turn to smoking.
French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire also confirmed on the 3rd that tobacco taxes will not be raised, which is a measure in line with national tax policies, and alcohol taxes will not be increased.
Data shows that tobacco consumption in France increased again in 2022 after declining from 2014 to 2019. In 2021, 32% of the population aged 18 to 75 in France smoked and 25% smoked daily. A survey by the French public health department also showed an increase in smoking rates among low-income populations and female groups.