Tobacconists resigned to higher prices
For the first time, Eric Woerth, budget minister, will dry the annual convention of tobacconists, which opens its doors Thursday morning at the Palais Brongniart in Paris. Officially adopted by a busy agenda, the Minister responsible for tenants was certain not to make a splash. 30 000 tobacconists fear into effect the measures about to be President of the Republic.
During the presentation of its cancer plan, expected by early November in Marseille, Nicolas Sarkozy is expected to announce a substantial increase in cigarette prices, including the exact amount is not yet defined.It could also decide to make it mandatory to print on each packet of photos shock presenting evidence to support the ravages of tobacco on the tongue, teeth or lungs … What deter smokers, according to proponents of this method .
Reportedly, the President will decide on these two points in the coming days, after having considered the report of a parliamentary commission on "the future of tobacconists." The three deputies who have been working on the subject (Richard Malli? Thierry Lazaro and Jean-Marie Binetruy) must make public their recommendations next Tuesday.
Roselyne Bachelot, the Health Minister, has in turn supported an increase in tobacco by 10% every year …. What would be a disaster for tobacconists."Since 2003, prices have already risen by 40%, and 4 000 retailers have put the key under the door, said Pascal Montredon, president of the Confederation of tobacconists. Our sales have collapsed, but consumption has not declined. However, smuggling is it at the same time, from 2 to 24%% of the market. "?ric Woerth he would favor a price increase limited to 6%. In addition, an increase could have a cons-productive income tax on tobacco, which last year reached 13 billion euros.
Reportedly, the firm Eric Woerth declined to comment, the customs administration have prompted during September cigarette manufacturers to offer a 6% increase on cigarettes. The new rates, which should have entered into force October 6, have not been gazetted, pending the announcement of the cancer plan.Such an increase would be too high for tobacconists. So far reluctant to adopt any increase, they have changed their tune. "We are not opposed to a slight increase, says the Figaro Pascal Montredon. But it will be up to 5%. And yet, we will not accept the condition that the Customs strengthen the fight against trafficking border operations by the mafia networks and the Internet. "
"Yes to photos shocks, but one side …"
To avoid the fate of his colleague Bruno Lemaire, Minister of Agriculture, knocked on his last visit to the show breeders, ?ric Woerth has just sent coal Jerome Fournel, Director General of Customs. His speech to the newsagents is eagerly awaited.
Tenants will also show that more reserved about the shocking images."I have not presented any serious study showing that it lowers consumption, says Pascal Montredon. In Belgium, sales have not declined. And French consumers do not hesitate to cross the border to provide them with the benefit of lower prices. "
However, tobacconists recognize the impact of images, since they do not wish to have before in their shops. "I imagine ill all day selling a legal product with such images, said Pascal Montredon. We could not imagine putting that on one side. "Peace in the civets may be at this price.
ALSO READ
"Cigarettes on the Internet: Paris and Brussels belie
"Cigarettes are already sold on the web