The 40% increase in the price of cigarettes, planned by the government, will not reduce tobacco consumption any more than it will fill the state coffers. At least that's the opinion of Eric Sensi-Minautier, director of public affairs, legal, and communications of British American Tobacco France.
THE PACKAGE AT 10 EUROS: « A FALSE GOOD IDEA«
Regarding the neutral package, Eric Sensi-Minautier does not seem surprised by the results announced recently in the press: " It doesn't surprise me, we had the conviction that it wouldn't work anyway. In Australia, the introduction of the neutral package had no impact on consumption. And in France, in 2011, a similar experiment was carried out with shock photos printed on the packages, without much success either. The neutral package, in a way, is only an "aggravation" of these shocking photos. So there is no reason for it to work."
The plan to increase the price of a packet of cigarettes to 10 euros (40%) over three years does not seem to please the communicator of BAT either: " I am as perplexed as for the neutral package. This measure is to be placed in the range of false-good ideas. This will cause a tax shock for smokers, in an already fragile context.
Apart from the United Kingdom, France has the highest prices in Europe, and it is also the country with the biggest black market. The gap with our neighbors will continue to grow, and sales at tobacco shops will likely decline.
I would be more careful about consumption. Many smokers will look for supplies outside traditional networks. Moreover, it will deteriorate the already fragile situation of tobacconists. »
In the interview, he prefers to highlight diversification:
« In many countries, prices are lower and there are fewer smokers. The price is of course an element to be taken into account, but the results obtained are mainly the result of intelligent prevention with an active policy of support for the use of alternative products to cigarettes: vaping, for example.
We are convinced that we must support smokers towards alternative solutions to traditional cigarettes, which is why we are present on the whole range of vaping products. We offer several innovative products: rechargeable capsules, but also products based on heated tobacco that will be on the market in the coming months. We are convinced that consumers will gradually turn to these alternatives.«
