Prices keep rising, and if you smoke, you already feel it every time you buy a pack. But what’s less obvious is the system behind those prices—a quiet mechanism that steadily increases both the cost and the pressure on smokers.
In France, most of what you pay doesn’t go to the cigarette companies. In fact, around 75% to 80% of the price is made up of taxes. The rest is split between the manufacturer and the tobacconist. Prices aren’t random either. They’re set through a controlled process where companies suggest a price, but the final decision belongs to the government and customs authorities. Once approved, that price is fixed everywhere—no discounts, no promotions, no cheaper options depending on where you buy.
As of January 1, 2026, another price increase pushed most packs to around €12.50 to €13. Lower-cost brands have almost disappeared, and buying in bulk has become extremely expensive. A carton can now cost anywhere between €250 and €390, while a 30-gram pouch of rolling tobacco can reach nearly €19.
This isn’t accidental—it’s a deliberate strategy. The goal is to make smoking so expensive that fewer people can afford it, ultimately reducing tobacco-related deaths. In France alone, smoking causes around 75,000 deaths each year, making it a major public health issue. Since 2023, tobacco taxes have been linked to inflation, which means prices will continue to rise year after year. If this trend continues, a pack could cost close to €20 within the next decade.
However, this approach has side effects. In neighboring countries, cigarettes are often much cheaper, sometimes half the price. This price gap encourages people to buy across borders or turn to illegal markets.
At the same time, restrictions around smoking have become stricter. Smoking is banned in many public places, including indoor areas, parks, beaches, bus stops, and near schools. Fines can be issued not only for smoking where it’s not allowed, but also for vaping in restricted areas or even throwing cigarette butts on the ground.
What used to be a common, everyday habit is gradually becoming something expensive, tightly controlled, and increasingly pushed out of public life.