The start of 2017 has seen tobacco control in France boosted with a series of ground-breaking tobacco control measures, as detailed in a recent article by Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada.

After a phase-in period, cigarette plain packaging is fully in force as of 1 January 2017. As in other countries that have already introduced plain packaging, or are planning to do so, the tobacco industry and its mouthpieces fought strongly against the new law.

In a move which extends the impact of plain packaging, the French government has also applied Directive 2014/40 of the European Union, which directs member states to restrict tobacco presentation. On February 1, 2017 a regulation was issued that identifies product names judged to be contrary to the European Union Directive. The identified names will only be authorised for sale for one more year in France. Among the brand names and descriptors that will disappear from 2018 under the regulation are Vogue, Virginia Slims, Anis (licorice), Menthol and Biodegradable.

France has also introduced a new tax on tobacco company revenue. Expected to raise about 130 million Euros per year, the new funds will be used to finance further tobacco control initiatives. The measure is particularly significant because it closes a  loophole used by tobacco companies to avoid France’s high-tax regime.

To read the full details on the Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada website click here.