In a recent statement, British American Tobacco (BAT) responds to the results of the latest STELLA report published by KPMG, on the origin of cigarettes consumed in France, which reveals that 28,4% of cigarettes consumed in France in 2018 were not purchased from a French tobacconist, an increase of 3,8 points to 2017.
A ALARMANT STATEMENT
To Eric Sensi-Minautier, Director of Public Affairs for BAT Western Europe, " this increase in off-grid purchases is the result of the price shock policy initiated in 2018 by the government, aiming to progressively bring the pack of cigarettes to 10 € by 2020 ».
The KPMG report reveals in particular an increase in cross-border purchases, particularly from Spain and Belgium. Estimates from these studies show that more than one in ten cigarettes comes from a border country.
« The fiscal shock policy initiated by the French government is a delight for neighboring countries Regrets Eric Sensi-Minautier. " And that's just the beginning. Cross-border shopping and smuggling will continue to grow inevitably as France pursues fiscal policy that is disconnected from that of its neighbors "He said recalling that France has 7 cross-border countries that all offer lower prices for cigarettes.
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POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS!
BAT has welcomed the introduction of new traceability systems for tobacco products at European level, which is a complementary tool for the authorities, " it is necessary to go further and strike harder Eric Sensi-Minautier insists.
For BAT spokesman, " technology can not replace physical controls at the borders and other measures will have to be adopted to fight against the flows, in particular extra-European ».
Promised by the Minister of Justice in front of parliamentarians in 2018, BAT France calls in particular to accelerate the publication of the decree to verbalize purchases of tobacco on the street.
« These cigarettes contribute to the accelerated destruction of the network of tobacconists and represent a shortfall for the State ... the problem of purchases of cigarettes off the network concerns us all. Let us give ourselves the means to fight effectively against this plague "Concludes Eric Sensi-Minautier.
About BAT France :
British American Tobacco (BAT), a company founded in 1902, is the second largest manufactured tobacco company in the world in terms of market share. Its brands are sold in more than 200 countries. Its French subsidiary, British American Tobacco France, employs around 250 employees across the country. Its business includes the sales support, sales and distribution of BAT Group's tobacco products on the national territory as well as its innovative ranges of vaping products.
