Where do cigarettes come from in France?

All you need to know about cigarette brands sold in France

For centuries, tobacco has been one of the most widely consumed plants in the world. Originally from South America, it was introduced to Europe in the 16th century. Since then, its popularity has continued to grow, despite incontrovertible evidence of its negative impact on health. In France, tobacco is a legal product sold in numerous approved outlets ( bureaux de tabac). In this article, we'll take a look at the most popular cigarette brands and the places in the world where they are manufactured.

Cigarette brands sold in France

In France, there are a large number of cigarette brands sold in authorized sales outlets (buralistes). Some of these brands are produced in France, while others are imported from abroad. The most popular brands are often those that have been on the market for many years, such as Marlboro, Camel and Lucky Strike.

In recent years, however, new cigarette brands have appeared on the market, notably roll-your-own tobacco brands. These products have become increasingly popular with young consumers looking for alternatives to traditional cigarettes. The best-known roll-your-own brands are the "rolled" ones, such as Drum, Pueblo and Pall Mall.

Cigarette brands also offer different product ranges, such as lights, ultra-lights and menthol cigarettes. These ranges are often presented as being less harmful to health, but it's important to remember that smoking remains dangerous, whatever the type of cigarette consumed.

Finally, it's important to note that cigarette brands are subject to strict regulations in France, particularly with regard to health warnings on cigarette packs, which must cover 65% of the surface. The aim of this measure is to make consumers aware of the dangers of smoking and encourage them to quit.

Here are the top-selling cigarette brands in France

Marlboro: 24.9% market share in 2020
Camel: 11.7% of sales
Winston: 9.9% sales
News: 7.6% of sales
Lucky Strike: 6.3
Gauloises: 5.5
Chesterfield: 3.5
Pall Mall: 3.5% sales
Fortuna: 3.1% of sales
L& M: 2.7% SALES

These figures are provided by the Confédération des buralistes de France and are based on cigarette sales volumes in 2020.

Where are cigarettes sold in France made?

These cigarettes are produced by multinational tobacco companies with factories in several countries. Here is some information on where the main brands of cigarettes sold in France are manufactured:

Marlboro: produced by Philip Morris International, this brand is manufactured in several factories around the world, notably in the United States, Switzerland, Russia and China.
Camel: produced by Japan Tobacco International (JTI), this brand is manufactured in several plants around the world, including the United States, Switzerland, Romania and Russia.
Winston: also produced by JTI, this brand is manufactured in several factories around the world, including in the United States, Switzerland, Russia and Turkey.
News: produced by British American Tobacco (BAT), this brand is manufactured in several plants around the world, including in Russia, Ukraine, Poland and Indonesia.
Lucky Strike: also produced by BAT, this brand is manufactured in several factories around the world, notably in Germany, Poland, Romania and Russia.
Gauloises: produced by Imperial Brands, this brand is manufactured in Europe, notably in France, Belgium and Spain.
Chesterfield: also produced by Philip Morris International, this brand is manufactured in several factories around the world, notably in the United States, Switzerland and Russia.
Pall Mall: produced by BAT, this brand is manufactured in several factories around the world, notably in Russia, Ukraine, Poland and Indonesia.
Fortuna: produced by Imperial Brands, this brand is manufactured in Europe, notably in Spain.
L& M: also produced by Philip Morris International, this brand is manufactured in several plants around the world, notably in the United States, Switzerland and Russia.

Are there still any cigarette factories in France?

Unfortunately no, there are no longer any cigarette manufacturing plants in France. In fact, tobacco production in France has been steadily declining for several decades, and many factories have closed or been converted to other activities.

The last factory to close in 2015 was located near Nantes. This plant belonged to Seita, a subsidiary of the Imperial Brands group, and produced brands such as Gauloises, Gitanes, News and Davidoff.

In addition, there are a few small-scale artisanal companies that produce cigarettes on a small scale, mainly for local or regional customers. These companies are few in number, however, and account for only a very small proportion of tobacco production in France.

Are cigarettes sold in France subject to specific manufacturing regulations?

Yes, there are specific regulations governing the manufacture of cigarettes sold in France. These regulations are designed to guarantee product safety and quality for consumers.

In France, the manufacture and sale of cigarettes are regulated by a number of laws and regulations, notably the Public Health Code and the Customs Code. These texts set standards for the composition, packaging, labeling and advertising of tobacco products.

In addition, cigarette packs sold in France must carry health warnings and shocking images on the dangers of smoking to health. Since May 2020, a European regulation requires health warnings and shocking images to cover 65% of the front and back surface of cigarette packs.

The French government's fight against contraband cigarettes

The 2023-2025 target

One of the aims of the French government's 2023-2025 tobacco plan is to combat contraband tobacco. The plan includes strengthening the traceability of tobacco products, increasing criminal penalties for offenders involved in tobacco trafficking, and promoting international cooperation to combat tobacco trafficking networks.

The aim of this plan is to reduce the consumption of contraband tobacco in France, which represents a threat to public health, safety and the country's economy.

To find out more about the Government's Tobacco Plan, visit economie.gouv.fr/plan-tabac-2023-2025.