Cigarette sales to be banned for new generations

Starting in 2027, the sale of cigarettes could be banned for people born on or after January 1, 2009, according to a new amendment to the 2027 social security financing bill. This would mean that anyone reaching the age of majority in 2027 would no longer be able to buy tobacco products, adding to existing restrictions on minors.

Goal is to prevent tobacco use in future generations

The amendment, proposed by green deputy Nicolas Thierry, aims to prevent future generations from starting to use tobacco. It is based on the idea that people often begin smoking during adolescence, and the measure is intended to stop the creation of new smoking habits. Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable deaths in France, causing 68,000 deaths annually and costing the country about 156 billion euros each year.

New tax on non-compliant tobacco resellers

The amendment also introduces a 5% social contribution on the revenue of tobacco resellers who do not follow the ban. This tax would go to the National Health Insurance Fund to support public health policies and smoking prevention efforts. The measure is part of a broader strategy to reduce tobacco use and its associated health and economic costs.

Proposal has been debated before

The idea of a tobacco-free generation is not new. Deputy Nicolas Thierry had previously introduced a cross-party bill in 2025 that targeted people born in 2014, with the ban taking effect in 2032. That bill was co-signed by 40 deputies, including members from different political groups, showing some level of bipartisan support for the concept.

Support and concerns about enforcement

The Minister of Health, Stéphanie Rist, supports the amendment, but some officials have expressed concerns. Thibault Bazin, the general rapporteur of the Social Security budget, warned that the ban might face legal challenges, and he highlighted the difficulty of enforcing the law in practice. Independent surveys have shown that a third of tobacco retailers still do not comply with the current ban on selling tobacco to minors.

Efforts to support retailers and the industry

Deputy Marie-Charlotte Garin emphasized that the measure aims to send a message to both the tobacco industry and retailers, urging them to adapt their business models. She also noted that the government will need to help retailers transition to new economic models. The text now moves to the Senate for further examination and approval.