According to Connexion France on April 9th, France and other EU countries have lifted restrictions on purchasing cigarettes in other EU countries. Previously, regulations only allowed individuals to buy one carton of cigarettes (200 cigarettes), and this restriction ended on March 29th. Authorities stated that this move would make it easier for customs to combat tobacco smuggling.
Tobacco merchants in France, especially those located near the borders with Italy and Spain, are now worried about excessive competition from other EU countries. In Spain, cigarette taxes are significantly lower than in France, with the price of two cartons of cigarettes (400 cigarettes or 20 packs) being only 107 euros, half the price of similar products in France.
These tobacco merchants and kiosk vendors protested against the French government’s reform in a demonstration held in February, with one merchant stating, “We have already lost half of our customers.” As a result, some tobacco merchants are calling for a unified tobacco price across the EU.
This move has also sparked opposition from anti-tobacco activists. Bertrand Dautzenberg, president of the Paris Smoke-Free Association, stated that lifting the purchase limit on cigarettes would undermine public health. He added that lifting restrictions essentially tells consumers to buy cigarettes in countries where they are cheaper.
Currently, customs officials will determine whether the quantity of cigarettes brought into France is for “personal use” or contraband. The chairman believes that the definition of “personal use” is now too broad because there are no official restrictions.
Previously, EU directives stipulated that EU member states could not set the limit on cigarettes per person below 800, but the decree issued by the French government did not specify the quantity.
【Reference】France ends limit on cigarettes bought from other EU countries
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