As previously announced, the price of a pack of cigarettes will increase again this year, and the major inflation forecast for February 1, 2025 will indeed have an impact on smokers’ budgets. And this while the Minister of Health is calling for the rapid inclusion in the Assembly of the ban on what we call puffs.
The policies implemented by different governments within the European Union to combat smoking and its human and environmental consequences are increasingly restrictive. So, not long ago in Italy we decided toprohibit smokers from lighting their cigarettes in all public spaces, including outside. It is in the city of Milan that we have been experimenting with this new measure since January 1, 2025. Some reservations were expressed at the same time. It is in fact still possible to “toast your cigarette” if no one is less than 10 meters from the smoker’s hand and vapers are still allowed outdoors. Violators risk a fine of between 40 and 240 euros depending on the situation.
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In France, new measures could be taken very soon, while smokers are exposed to fixed fine of 68 euros if they are seen throwing a cigarette butt on the ground. The Minister of Health Christine Vautrin has indicated that she wants to ban what is called puffs. And this “as quickly as possible”she assured on the air of RTL on January 3. This is the name given to disposable electronic cigarettes which are currently very popular with young people. “Let us put it on the agenda of the National Assembly as quickly as possible”she asked specifically.
Some packages sold at 13.50 euros
At the same time and like every year (or almost), the price of cigarettes has increased. In January, the vast majority of packs of 20 exceeded 12.50 euros, and an increase of up to one euro more depending on the different manufacturers and their products was observed. Also affected were cigars, heating tobacco and packets of rolling tobacco, the cost of which remains ever more attractive. This is how the pack of Lucky Strike went from 12 euros to 12.50 euros on January 1, just like the pack of Camel or Winston, and that of Marlboro Red was now sold at 13 euros. What to discourage smokers?
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They must prepare to pay even more for their cigarettes, sincea new increase is planned for February 1 according to a decree published in Official Journal Tuesday, January 14. Once again, many brands are affected, and therefore a large part of consumers. Some prices change more than others, even if we can estimate that this increase is of the order of 30 euro cents on average. Among the main increases that can be noted are those for packets of Gauloises Blondes (up to +25 euro cents) and the News Classic brand (up to +25 euro cents). Also note that the Dunhill red goes from 13.20 euros to 13.50 euros and the Bastos Rouge from 11 euros to 11.20 euros. All price changes practiced by tobacconists are published on the French customs portal.
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-Smoking figures in France
According to Santé Publique France, the number of smokers in France has been relatively stable in recent years: there are around 12 million. The results of this latest study to date and covering the year 2022 showed that more than three in ten people reported smoking and a quarter reported smoking daily. A typical portrait of the French smoker had also been established: this is a man aged under 60, with a level of education less than or equal to the baccalaureate, and with a lower level of income. “The study of sociodemographic and economic factors associated with smoking highlights very marked social inequalities at the regional level, as well as at the national level. People with the lowest incomes and those with the lowest levels of education had in effect more risk of smoking daily in almost all regions”underlined Health Insurance in this regard.
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Furthermore, it is estimated that tobacco is the leading cause of avoidable mortality in France with 75,000 deaths each year. Six out of 6 smokers declared in 2022 that they wanted to quit smoking, compared to 26% of them who admitted to having this plan in the next six months. Finally, 30% of them had tried to stop lighting a cigarette for at least one week during the last 12 months.
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