The price of cigarettes in France has risen steadily over the past several decades, largely due to government policies designed to reduce tobacco consumption and improve public health. French authorities have implemented a pricing structure that tightly regulates how tobacco products are sold and how prices are determined. Unlike many other consumer goods, cigarette prices are not freely set by retailers. Instead, the process begins with tobacco manufacturers or importers, who propose a retail price based on production costs, logistics, distribution expenses, and commercial margins. However, this proposed price cannot be implemented until it receives approval from the state. The agency responsible for verifying and validating these prices is the Directorate General of Customs and Indirect Taxes, a key administrative body that oversees tobacco taxation and regulation. Once the price is approved, it becomes official nationwide. Retailers known as tobacconists must then apply this exact price without alteration. They are not allowed to set their own prices, run promotions, or offer discounts on tobacco products. This strict system ensures that tobacco pricing remains consistent throughout the country and prevents price competition that might encourage greater consumption.The retail price of a pack of cigarettes in France is composed of three primary elements: the manufacturer’s share, the tobacconist’s margin, and taxes imposed by the government. Among these components, the share retained by manufacturers represents the smallest portion of the final price.