Price per pack of cigarettes: tax, margin and increase

Tobacco Prices in France: Key Facts

How the Price of Tobacco Is Set

In France, tobacco manufacturers propose the retail price of their products, but it must be approved by the government, particularly by the customs authority. The price includes production costs, trade margins, and taxes.

Taxes make up the largest share of the price—about 75–80% of the cost of cigarettes. The remaining portion includes the manufacturer’s margin (around 15%) and the tobacconist’s margin (8–10%). The two main taxes are excise duty on tobacco and value-added tax (VAT).

Once approved, the price of tobacco is the same across all of France, and tobacconists are not allowed to offer discounts or promotions.

Average Price of Cigarettes in 2026

On January 1, 2026, cigarette prices increased again. Many brands rose by about €0.50, with some increases reaching €1 per pack.

The average price of a pack of 20 cigarettes in France is now around €12.50 to €13. Popular brands such as Marlboro, Camel, and Philip Morris are generally priced close to this range.

Price of Cigarette Cartons

Prices for cartons (20 packs) vary depending on pack size:

20 cigarettes per pack: about €250–€300 per carton
25 cigarettes per pack: about €300–€350
30 cigarettes per pack: about €360–€390

Cheapest Cigarettes

Low-cost brands historically sold for around €10.40 to €10.90 per pack, but price increases mean that most packs in 2026 now cost between €12.50 and €13.50.

Rolling Tobacco Prices

Rolling tobacco has also increased in price. For a 30-gram pouch, prices typically range between €14.90 and €18.60, depending on the brand.

Why Tobacco Prices Are Rising

The French government regularly raises tobacco taxes to reduce smoking rates and protect public health. Smoking causes more than 75,000 deaths each year in France, making it a major public health issue.

Since 2023, tobacco taxes have been linked to inflation, which leads to regular annual price increases.

Price Changes Over Time

Cigarette prices have risen sharply over the past decades:

Early 2000s: about €3 per pack
2004: around €5
2020: about €10
2026: about €12.50–€13

If prices continue rising at the current pace, a pack could reach €20 within the next decade and possibly €26 by 2040.

Prices in Other European Countries

Cigarettes are much cheaper in some neighboring countries:

Spain, Andorra, Luxembourg, Italy: about €4–€6
Belgium, Germany, Switzerland: generally under €10

These differences encourage cross-border purchases and cigarette smuggling.

Smoking Regulations and Penalties

Smoking in enclosed public places in France has been banned since 2007. The restrictions were expanded in 2025 to include outdoor areas such as parks, beaches, bus shelters, and areas near schools.

Penalties include: