Tobacco sales have exploded since containment began

Collateral effect of containment: tobacco sales in the territory have exploded by more than 30%, according to the Federation of tobacconists. How to explain this boom in cigarette consumption?

Read also: Smoking, an aggravating factor against coronavirus

No, the French do not smoke more in these times of epidemic and confinement. But with the limitation of border crossings, smokers who bought their tobacco in Belgium, Luxembourg or Spain for example, have no choice but to get their supplies from the local tobacco shop. " We are recovering this famous parallel market that we have denounced for years ", explains to Le Figaro Philippe Coy, president of the federation of tobacconists. “ It is our customers of yesteryear who return, those who have gradually deserted the hexagonal tobacco shops as the tax burden increased on the cigarette packet. "

This estimate of 30% of sales is based on a survey carried out by the organization among its members and has yet to be confirmed by the figures published by Logista, the operator who delivers the tobacco shops. However, it seems to coincide with the estimated share of the black cigarette market. In 2016, according to a study by KPMG, the parallel tobacco market represented 27.1% of total consumption in France.

Uneven openings

Tobacco sales among some tobacconists have literally exploded - " up to 200% " according to Philippe Coy. Particularly in border regions: departments of North, East, Pyrénées-Atlantiques and the East, near the Spanish border. Areas normally exposed to " an escape from customers ", due to their proximity to a country with lower tobacco taxes than that of France.

Despite demand that has increased overall, others have preferred to lower the curtain. This is the case for many tobacconists in Île-de-France. " It is estimated between 50 and 60% the rate of closings of tobacco shops," said Bernard Gasq, president of the federation of tobacconists in the Ile-de-France region. “ In the city of Melun, for example, out of nine points of sale, only two are open. Or at Maisons-Alfort, out of thirteen tobacconists, only three are, ”he said.

Read also: Despite the opening of tobacco shops, luck has also turned to the FDJ

The main reason: " fear of getting sick ". “ We are on the front line, like the cashiers. Colleagues are not equipped, ”explains Bernard Gasq. A protection kit (masks, gloves, hydroalcoholic gel, wipes) should be delivered to members of the tobacconists network during the next week, according to the FNB. “ In Île-de-France, 40% of the network of tobacco shops is run by Asians. Calls come to them from China telling them to stay home. As a result, these tobacconists have almost all closed, ”specifies Bernard Gasq. “ On the other hand, those who remain open have increased their tobacco sales volumes by almost fifteen. It must be said that consumers, limited in their movements, order four or five cartridges at once. We haven't seen that in 10 years! ", He adds. In total, on the national territory, “ 85% of the network of tobacco shops is open, which represents 19,000 points of contact, ” specifies Philippe Coy.

Distribution disorganized, but no shortage

Faced with this unprecedented increase in demand for cigarettes, open tobacconists are struggling to get their supplies on time. Similar to pasta, some brands of cigarettes are absent for a few days. " The French tobacco distribution market is completely disorganized, " sums up Philippe Coy. " The tobacconists lack visibility and are facing cash flow difficulties." But the industry assures that there is no shortage of tobacco and that there will not be any. “ If there are holes, it's not that there are no products. It is because of delivery malfunctions. Logistics is under pressure. But there is no supply problem: we are always delivered from Italy, the Netherlands, Spain or Poland, ”insists Philippe Coy.

While the cities have emptied themselves to fill the countryside, in rural or peripheral areas, the tobacconist, considered by the government as an "essential" trade, is not idle. " Many French people discover everything that a tobacco shop offers," rejoices Philippe Coy. Services that have gone beyond the simple “ tobacco press press ” triptych for several years. Today, the tobacconist is also a relay of early vegetables while many markets are closed. It also offers postal and banking services with the Nickel account. Since last summer, you can also declare your taxes there. A whole range of services which, after confinement, will be better anchored in the minds of consumers and therefore in their reflexes, hopes the Federation of tobacconists. Especially since the borders will eventually reopen, and the black market selling cigarettes, leave with.