BACKGROUND: The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control recommends significant and regular excise tax increases on tobacco products. However, since the 2000s, French policymakers have rarely used this measure. Analyses of the French general press and MPs’ documents, which revealed strong lobbying from the tobacco industry and tobacconists to oppose tax increases, may explain politicians’ reluctance to use a highly effective policy. To assess this explanation, we explored how French Members of Parliament (MPs) perceive tobacco actors and the arguments against tax increases, spread by the tobacco sector, and arguments in favour, spread by health actors.
METHODS: In 2022, we conducted semi-structured interviews by telephone or face-to-face with 25 MPs (16 senators and 9 deputies), of varying political orientations and geographical origins (6 cross-border MPs). The interview guide probed their perceptions of tobacco actors and arguments regarding excise tax increases. We used thematic analysis to interpret the data, which we managed in NVivo 15.
RESULTS: Most MPs consider consultation with the tobacco sector on public health issues legitimate, particularly with tobacconists, who they perceive very positively. More MPs are in contact with tobacco sector actors than with health actors, and they overwhelmingly subscribe to the tobacco sector's anti-tax arguments, particularly those raising concerns about illicit trade and the alleged economic loss tobacconists will face. A minority of MPs support the arguments spread by public health actors.
CONCLUSIONS: This research is useful for understanding the influence of tobacco sector lobbying on the perceptions and representations of decision-makers. It highlights the need for public health actors to develop advocacy aimed at strengthening the application of Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, and to better inform decision-makers about the overall benefits of tax increases.