Controversy over EU Cigarette Purchase Restrictions Lifted in France

According to a report by Connexion France on April 9, European Union countries, including France, have lifted restrictions on purchasing tobacco products in other EU countries. The previous regulation only allowed individuals to buy one carton of cigarettes (200 cigarettes), and this limit was lifted on March 29. Authorities stated that this decision will make it easier for customs to combat tobacco smuggling.

Tobacco merchants in France, particularly those located near the border with Italy and Spain, are now concerned about excessive competition from other EU countries. In Spain, the tax rate on cigarettes is significantly lower than in France, with the price of two cartons of cigarettes (400 cigarettes or 20 packs) only costing 107 euros, which is just half the price of similar products in France.

Tobacco merchants and newsstand owners who participated in a parade in February vocally opposed the reform by the French government, with one merchant stating, "We have already lost half of our customers." As a result, some tobacco merchants are now calling for a unified tobacco pricing system within the European Union.

This move has also sparked opposition from anti-tobacco activists. Bertrand Dautzenberg, president of the Smoke Free Paris Association, said that lifting restrictions on purchasing cigarettes would harm public health. He added that removing restrictions essentially tells consumers to go to countries where cigarettes are cheaper to buy cigarettes.

Currently, customs officials will determine whether the quantity of cigarettes brought into France is for "personal use" or contraband. The president believes that the definition of "personal use" is now too broad, as there are no official limits.

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 a particular quantity.