French tobacco retailers launch national protest against taxation

French tobacco retailers are organizing a national mobilization from September 7 to 11 to protest against high taxation, insecurity, and the growth of the parallel tobacco market. The Confederation of Tobacco Retailers is coordinating several regional gatherings, including a demonstration in Givors on September 8 involving retailers from the Drôme and Ardèche regions.

Lysel Garnier, president of the Drôme federation of tobacco retailers, stated that tobacco sales volumes have halved over the last decade and noted that more than 8,400 establishments have closed in France over the past 20 years. As discussions regarding the upcoming state budget approach, retailers are calling for a freeze on taxation and an end to indexing tobacco prices to inflation to prevent further economic decline in the profession.