The price of a pack of cigarettes rises again in March 2020

The rise in the price of a pack of cigarettes is continuing on its way, as the government planned. From March 2020, some packs will reach the ten euro mark, with a further increase due next November.

A pack of Marlboro will sell for more than 10 euros in 2020

Smokers will be gritting their teeth again from next March. A new increase applies to tobacco from 1 March 2020, with packs of cigarettes going up by a further 50 cents throughout France. Some brands will go well beyond 10 euros for a pack of 20 cigarettes, such as Gitanes at 11 euros, while others will come close. That is the case for unfiltered Camel, sold at 9.80 euros for a pack of 20. Marlboro Red, for their part, will now be sold at a round 10 euros a pack.

Cigarettes are not the only products affected by this new rise: rolling tobacco is also concerned, as are some cigars and loose pipe tobacco. From next November, a further increase of 40 cents will be applied, as announced by the government.

Fines for those who buy packs on the street

Street sellers had been doing good business since the announcement of the tobacco price rise, but their trade too is now under serious pressure. Since December 2019, any buyer caught in the act of buying on the street faces a 135 euro fine. If the case comes before a judge, that can rise to 750 euros.

The penalty was introduced as a certain number of smokers were turning to the black market for their cigarettes. It should be noted that most of these packs come from smuggling and, as such, cannot be sold with impunity on French soil.