BACKGROUND: Among tobacco control policies, increasing taxation on tobacco products is undoubtedly the most effective strategy to reduce smoking initiation, prevalence, and consumption, particularly among younger populations, and increase smoking cessation. Price increases due to higher taxes also lead to higher tax revenues. In recent years, France has implemented substantial excise tax increases to curb smoking rates. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of these measures on tobacco consumption and fiscal revenues in France.
METHODS: We analyzed the impact of excise tax increases in France between 2017 and 2023. Price elasticity was calculated based on changes in the weighted average price (WAP) of cigarettes and corresponding variations in cigarette sales. We also examined trends in fiscal revenues from tobacco products during this period.
RESULTS: Between 2017 and 2023, the WAP of a cigarette pack rose by 60.8%, from €6.81 to €10.95. Cigarette sales in France fell by 34.2%, from 44.3 to 29.1 thousand tonnes, corresponding to a price elasticity of -0.56 over the six years. Annual fiscal revenues from total tobacco (excluding VAT) increased systematically by an average of €2.0 billion per year.
CONCLUSIONS: The French experience shows that substantial tobacco tax increases can reduce consumption and boost fiscal revenues. Claims that higher prices lead to tax evasion and lower revenues are unsupported by evidence, as cross-border shopping in France remains limited. Expanding such measures across the EU could bring both public health and fiscal benefits. Setting a minimum cigarette pack price at €10 across the EU could generate significant revenues to offset smoking-related health costs and advance tobacco control towards the EU tobacco endgame. Countries with low tobacco prices, like Germany, Italy, Poland, and Spain, should adopt these policies to all , including extending taxes to e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.