Certain cigarette brand names banned from sale

You will certainly have noticed that, since 1 January 2017, the plain pack has taken over the shelves of French tobacconists. Intended to be less attractive, these packs have been generalised since the start of the year, preventing brands from indulging in visual communication.

On ethical grounds, certain brands can no longer be sold

The government is going further by requiring some brands, such as Vogue cigarettes, named after the well-known fashion magazine, to change their name if they are to remain on sale. Among those in the sights of Marisol Touraine, the current health minister, are the brands Fine, Allure and Corset, as well as the Café Crème, Punch and Paradiso cigarillos. Brands carrying the word “Gold”, such as Marlboro Gold, are also affected. The minister explained that the appeal of these names “is obviously not in the spirit of the plain pack”.

Ces marques de cigarettes qui vont disparaître by Europe1fr

The move, welcomed by the Droits des Non-Fumeurs association (DNS), which campaigns for the rights of non-smokers in France, was criticised by tobacco manufacturers, and in particular by the distributor of the Fine brand, which considers that people who have chosen to smoke will be stigmatised still further.

The cigar manufacturers will have two years to sell off stock under the name that is soon to be banned, while cigarette makers will have to move faster and clear all their packs within a year. In future, brands will need to avoid names suggesting slimness, for example, or any term that might imply some benefit to health, weight loss or social life.

Rolling tobacco prices are climbing while factory-made cigarette packs stay stable

In 2016, a slight fall in sales of factory-made cigarettes was recorded following the increase in tobacco prices. For 2017, those prices should remain stable: a new tax has indeed come into force, but the tobacco industry has chosen not to pass it on to cigarette retail prices this year. The effects of that tax increase should nonetheless appear sooner or later, since Marisol Touraine said on the subject:

“The manufacturers have got round the rules that were meant to lead to a price increase. I will not let go, because raising the price of tobacco matters in public health terms.”

By contrast, rolling tobacco is seeing a clear increase, with 1.50 euros more on average for the consumer. Will the plain pack and the rise in rolling tobacco prices have an impact on the number of smokers in France this year? For now, brands will mostly be looking for ways to adapt and keep their customers.