a reduction in French customers among tobacconists due to the rise in tobacco prices

Since the recent increases in tobacco prices in Belgium, crossing the border is no longer a guarantee of much lower prices for French smokers. A situation which worries border tobacconists, who are afraid of losing a large part of their customers.

It was a habit that many smokers from the north of France had adopted for several decades: going to Belgium to benefit from very advantageous prices on tobacco compared to those practiced in France.

But for several years, the Belgian authorities have gradually increased prices, making border crossing less and less attractive.

The latest price increase came into force on Monday, November 11: a pack of cigarettes then increased from 8 to 11.50 euros at Belgian tobacconists, a single euro difference now with those sold in France.

“More many advantages”

Questioned by BFM Grand Lille, smokers living near the border say that they no longer see the point of going to the Flat Country. “If there is more benefit, there is no point in coming,” explains a smoker we met in Heuvelland, a Belgian border town.

“We try to go to Luxembourg, it’s much cheaper than here,” says another woman interviewed.

Faced with these price increases, Belgian tobacconists fear seeing part of their customer base disappear. “Those who live on the border will always come because there is always a difference compared to France, but those who come from Paris, or from Normandy… They will come more because there is plus many advantages compared to France”, explains Maysa Mesuire, tobacconist in the Belgian part of the Mont Noir border area.

Loss of earnings for other businesses

Other neighboring businesses also expressed their concern, because when coming to buy their tobacco, many French people took the opportunity to eat and go to other neighboring businesses, thus contributing to the economy in many border areas.

“As a trader, it’s scary because we already feel a reduction (in the number) of people who come to eat,” shares Martine Agneray, owner of the restaurant L’Estaminet, located in Mont Noir.

“We had quite a few people from 62 (Pas-de-Calais), who come mainly to buy tobacco and who, afterwards, wander around here. It’s true that we see these people less since then. a while”, adds Adam, salesman in a bag store in Mont Noir.

In France, the price of a packet of cigarettes will increase by another two euros by 2026. An increase which could perhaps bring French smokers back to the border.