The price of cigarettes in France has been rising for years as part of a government policy to reduce smoking. Tobacco prices are strictly regulated and cannot be freely set by retailers. Manufacturers or importers propose a price that includes production costs, margins, and taxes, but it must be approved by the authorities. Once approved, the price becomes official nationwide, meaning tobacconists cannot offer discounts or promotions. As the article explains, “Tobacco products therefore have a uniform national price,” allowing the government to control price changes across the market.
Most of the price paid for cigarettes in France consists of taxes. Manufacturers keep about 15% of the retail price, while tobacconists receive a margin of around 8% to 10%. The majority goes to the state, since “taxes represent between 75% and 80% of the price of cigarettes.” These taxes include excise duties and value-added tax. Excise duty is calculated partly on the retail price and partly on the quantity of tobacco produced or imported, with a minimum tax applied if the amount falls below a legal threshold. In addition, tobacco products include VAT at a rate equivalent to 16.66%.
Prices have continued to rise in recent years. On January 1, 2026, a new increase pushed the average price of a pack of twenty cigarettes to about 12.50 to 13 euros, while some premium brands now cost more than 13.50 euros. Cartons have also become more expensive, usually costing between 250 and 300 euros. Although cheaper brands exist, usually priced between 10.40 and 10.90 euros in the past, the difference between economy and premium products has narrowed.
This long-term trend has been building for decades. Around the early 2000s a pack cost about three euros, rising to roughly five euros by 2004 and about ten euros by 2020. By 2026, the average price is close to thirteen euros. Since 2023, tobacco taxes have been linked to inflation, meaning prices are expected to keep rising. Some projections suggest a pack could reach about twenty euros within the next decade.
These increases are part of a broader public health strategy. Smoking remains a major health issue, causing “more than 75,000 deaths” in France each year. Higher prices aim to discourage smoking, especially among younger people. Other measures include plain packaging, prevention campaigns, and smoking bans in public places, which now extend to areas like beaches, parks, and spaces near schools. Together, these policies are designed to reduce tobacco consumption and move toward a tobacco-free generation.
