Many cigarette prices expected to fall in France this March

Some cigarette packets in France may become less expensive as of March 1, following several months of price increases.

French customs revealed the surprising price cut news in a decree published on February 7. 

Packets (containing 20 cigarettes) that are expected to fall by €0.20 (from €10.60 to €10.40) include but are not limited to:

• Camel Filters No.1

• Corset Ice

• Marlboro Red Collection

• Philip Morris Kings Collection

• The King Filters

• Winston Blue No.1

However, some cigarette brands will be increasing in price by €0.20. For example, Maya Blue Spirit 100 % Tabac and Maya Original Spirit 100 % Tabac (increasing from €11 to €11.20).

A PDF released by French customs listing all price changes can be found here.

Read also: French parliament votes to ban single-use e-cigarettes

The first price decreases in several months

This news comes after the price of a standard 20-pack of cigarettes rose to €13 or over in many cases at the start of February.

The cost of most cigarettes and loose-leaf rolling tobacco remains unchanged, and no announcement has been made in anticipation of blanket market reductions.

Current health minister Elisabeth Borne planned to increase the price of a packet of 20 cigarettes to a minimum of €13 by 2027 when she was prime minister, as part of wider anti-tobacco plans.

The French government estimates that 75,000 deaths per year are caused by tobacco with 12 million people in France smoking every day, according to Santé publique France.