A Senate report, presented on Thursday, recommends an increase in tobacco taxation and an overhaul of the tax on sugary drinks, while calling for reflection on a minimum price for alcohol.
The Senate Social Affairs Committee has adopted an information report on the taxation of tobacco, alcohol and sweet and savoury drinks and foods.
The committee’s general rapporteurs, Elisabeth Doineau and Cathy Apourceau-Poly, believe that taxation on these products is not the only tool for encouraging a reduction in the consumption of products that are harmful to health.
They point out that tobacco, alcohol and obesity are responsible for 141,000 premature deaths a year.
They add that this represents an annual cost to society of over €100 billion.
Despite the decline in tobacco consumption among young people, the number of smokers in France remains high, at nearly a quarter of the population.
The annual increase in the price of tobacco is a measure producing satisfactory effects.
They propose raising the annual increase to 5%, to reach €25 for the reference cigarette pack by 2040.
They also denounce the absence of a policy to combat alcohol consumption.
They recommend launching a consultation to introduce a minimum price per unit of alcohol.
The report also recommends increasing the tax on sugary drinks. and to simplify the scale.
The aim is to encourage manufacturers to reformulate beverage compositions.
