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Tobacco in France
July 2022
Tobacco in 2021: The big picture
2021 was a year of normalisation for tobacco in France, which meant that after a better performance in 2020, the industry came back to a level of decline closer to that observed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic – in volume terms at least. Decline mainly stemmed from the reopening of borders, that were closed for “only” five months in 2021 – while in 2020 it was six or seven months of closure with border countries with much lower prices, such as Spain, Italy and Belgium, and to a lesser extent Germany, which was thus an exceptional year for tobacconists in the north, northeast and south of France.
2021 key trends
The last quarter of 2021 witnessed a major trend reversal in smokeless tobacco, e-vapour products and heated tobacco. The main growth drivers of 2020 (closed system rechargeable and cartridges and heated tobacco) saw a slowdown in 2021, while the old and dying niche of closed system single-use suddenly skyrocketed.
Competitive landscape
In terms of the big four players in cigarettes – Philip Morris, Japan Tobacco, Imperial Brands and British American Tobacco – no major changes were seen in 2021. However, the outright leader, Philip Morris France, could not avoid the drop of Marlboro due to a significant price increase until mid-2020 and the rise of counterfeit products.
Retailing developments
2021 confirmed the strength of tobacconists, with newsagent-tobacconists/kiosks seeing a high share of the distribution landscape, although the rate of increase slowed slightly compared with 2020. These retailers were previously jeopardised by the effects of strong tax increases and the declining number of smokers.
What next for tobacco?
After the privileged period from 2020 until mid-2021, local players and other trade sources are rather pessimistic about the outlook for tobacco. Other than the probable disappearance of the previous driver of sales, COVID-19, they fear a sudden wave of taxation and new restrictions after the presidential elections of May 2022.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Tobacco industry in France with research from Euromonitor International's team of in-country analysts – experts by industry and geographic specialisation.
Key trends are clearly and succinctly summarised alongside the most current research data available. Understand and assess competitive threats and plan corporate strategy with our qualitative analysis, insight and confident growth projections.
Data and analysis in this report provides further detailed coverage dedicated to the following key categories, where applicable:
Cigarettes
Cigars, Cigarillos and Smoking Tobacco
Smokeless Tobacco, E-Vapour Products and Heated Tobacco
If you're in the Tobacco industry in France, our research will help you to make informed, intelligent decisions; to recognise and profit from opportunity, or to offer resilience amidst market uncertainty.
The Tobacco in France report includes:
Analysis of key supply-side and demand trends
Detailed segmentation of international and local products
Historic volume and value sizes, company and brand market shares
Five year forecasts of market trends and market growth
Robust and transparent research methodology, conducted in-country
This report answers:
What is the market size of Tobacco in France?
Which are the leading brands in Tobacco in France?
How are products distributed in Tobacco in France?
Which category is the most heavily taxed in France?
How is the operating environment for Tobacco changing?
What are the current legislative restrictions applicable to the sale of Tobacco products in France?
How has COVID-19 impacted demand?
How have national lockdown and enforced home seclusion following COVID-19 impacted sales?
Where is future growth expected to be most dynamic?
Tobacco in France
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Tobacco in 2021: The big picture
2021 key trends
Competitive landscape
Retailing developments
What next for tobacco?
OPERATING ENVIRONMENT
Legislation
Legislative overviewSummary 1 Legislation Summary at a Glance
Minimum legal smoking age
Smoking prevalence
Plain packaging
Point-of-sale display bans
Flavoured tobacco product ban
Vapour products
PRODUCTION/IMPORTS/EXPORTS
MARKET INDICATORS
Table 1 Number of Adult Smokers by Gender 2016-2021
MARKET DATA
Table 2 Sales of Tobacco by Category: Volume 2016-2021Table 3 Sales of Tobacco by Category: Value 2016-2021Table 4 Sales of Tobacco by Category: % Volume Growth 2016-2021Table 5 Sales of Tobacco by Category: % Value Growth 2016-2021Table 6 Forecast Sales of Tobacco by Category: Volume 2021-2026Table 7 Forecast Sales of Tobacco by Category: Value 2021-2026Table 8 Forecast Sales of Tobacco by Category: % Volume Growth 2021-2026Table 9 Forecast Sales of Tobacco by Category: % Value Growth 2021-2026
DISCLAIMER
SOURCES
Summary 2 Research Sources
Cigarettes in France
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2021 DEVELOPMENTS
Ongoing decline despite border closures for months
Freeze on taxes for the moment
JT International is the only player to progress and reduce the gap with the absolute leader Philip Morris
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Strong progression of taxes expected for 2023
Migration to other products will continue to challenge cigarettes
Will the niche of “fresh” cigarettes still be authorised?
TAXATION AND PRICING
Taxation rates
Table 10 Taxation and Duty Levies 2016-2021
Average cigarette pack price breakdown
Summary 3 Average Cigarette Pack Price Breakdown: France
CATEGORY DATA
Table 11 Sales of Cigarettes: Volume 2016-2021Table 12 Sales of Cigarettes by Category: Value 2016-2021Table 13 Sales of Cigarettes: % Volume Growth 2016-2021Table 14 Sales of Cigarettes by Category: % Value Growth 2016-2021Table 15 Sales of Cigarettes by Blend: % Volume 2016-2021Table 16 Sales of Cigarettes by Standard/Menthol/Capsule: % Volume 2016-2021Table 17 Sales of Cigarettes by Regular/Slim/Superslim/Microslim: % Volume 2016-2021Table 18 Sales of Cigarettes by Pack Size: % Volume 2016-2021Table 19 Sales of Cigarettes by Price Band: % Volume 2016-2021Table 20 NBO Company Shares of Cigarettes: % Volume 2017-2021Table 21 LBN Brand Shares of Cigarettes: % Volume 2018-2021Table 22 Sales of Cigarettes by Distribution Format: % Volume 2016-2021Table 23 Illicit Trade Estimate of Cigarettes: Volume 2016-2021Table 24 Forecast Sales of Cigarettes: Volume 2021-2026Table 25 Forecast Sales of Cigarettes by Category: Value 2021-2026Table 26 Forecast Sales of Cigarettes: % Volume Growth 2021-2026Table 27 Forecast Sales of Cigarettes by Category: % Value Growth 2021-2026Table 28 Forecast Sales of Cigarettes by Blend: % Volume 2021-2026Table 29 Forecast Sales of Cigarettes by Standard/Menthol/Capsule: % Volume 2021-2026Table 30 Forecast Sales of Cigarettes by Regular/Slim/Superslim/Microslim: % Volume 2021-2026Table 31 Forecast Sales of Cigarettes by Pack Size: % Volume 2021-2026Table 32 Forecast Sales of Cigarettes by Price Band: % Volume 2021-2026
Cigars, Cigarillos and Smoking Tobacco in France
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2021 DEVELOPMENTS
Return to normality in fine cut tobacco
The incredible success of flavoured blond cigarillos
The leader in smoking tobacco, JT International France, launches capsule blond cigarillos
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Limited period of respite for cigars, cigarillos and smoking tobacco
Nonetheless, the category could also face higher taxation and new constraints
Cannibalisation between producing countries in hand-made cigars
CATEGORY DATA
Table 33 Sales of Cigars, Cigarillos and Smoking Tobacco by Category: Volume 2016-2021Table 34 Sales of Cigars, Cigarillos and Smoking Tobacco by Category: Value 2016-2021Table 35 Sales of Cigars, Cigarillos and Smoking Tobacco by Category: % Volume Growth 2016-2021Table 36 Sales of Cigars, Cigarillos and Smoking Tobacco by Category: % Value Growth 2016-2021Table 37 Sales of Cigars by Size: % Volume 2016-2021Table 38 Sales of Cigarillos by Price Platform 2016-2021Table 39 NBO Company Shares of Cigars and Cigarillos: % Volume 2017-2021Table 40 LBN Brand Shares of Cigars and Cigarillos: % Volume 2018-2021Table 41 NBO Company Shares of Cigars: % Volume 2017-2021Table 42 LBN Brand Shares of Cigars: % Volume 2018-2021Table 43 NBO Company Shares of Cigarillos: % Volume 2017-2021Table 44 LBN Brand Shares of Cigarillos: % Volume 2018-2021Table 45 NBO Company Shares of Smoking Tobacco: % Volume 2017-2021Table 46 LBN Brand Shares of Smoking Tobacco: % Volume 2018-2021Table 47 NBO Company Shares of Pipe Tobacco: % Volume 2017-2021Table 48 LBN Brand Shares of Pipe Tobacco: % Volume 2018-2021Table 49 NBO Company Shares of Fine Cut Tobacco: % Volume 2017-2021Table 50 LBN Brand Shares of Fine Cut Tobacco: % Volume 2018-2021Table 51 Distribution of Cigars and Cigarillos by Format: % Volume 2016-2021Table 52 Distribution of Smoking Tobacco by Format: % Volume 2016-2021Table 53 Forecast Sales of Cigars, Cigarillos and Smoking Tobacco by Category: Volume 2021-2026Table 54 Forecast Sales of Cigars, Cigarillos and Smoking Tobacco by Category: Value 2021-2026Table 55 Forecast Sales of Cigars, Cigarillos and Smoking Tobacco by Category: % Volume Growth 2021-2026Table 56 Forecast Sales of Cigars, Cigarillos and Smoking Tobacco by Category: % Value Growth 2021-2026
Smokeless Tobacco, E-Vapour Products and Heated Tobacco in France
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2021 DEVELOPMENTS
Sudden and impressive resurrection of closed system single-use at the end of 2021
Meanwhile, all other categories are no longer as dynamic
Only a couple of brands and players stand out from the crowd in 2021
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Still fairly dynamic growth expected, but no longer in the double digits
The success of closed system single-use products could be dampened or short-lived
Specialist stores – a jeopardised channel from now on
CATEGORY INDICATORS
Table 57 Number of Adult Vapers 2016-2021
CATEGORY DATA
Table 58 Sales of Tobacco Heating Devices: Volume 2016-2021Table 59 Sales of Tobacco Heating Devices: % Volume Growth 2016-2021Table 60 Sales of Heated Tobacco: Volume 2016-2021Table 61 Sales of Heated Tobacco: % Volume Growth 2016-2021Table 62 Sales of Smokeless Tobacco, E-Vapour Products and Heated Tobacco by Category: Value 2016-2021Table 63 Sales of Smokeless Tobacco, E-Vapour Products and Heated Tobacco by Category: % Value Growth 2016-2021Table 64 Sales of E-Liquids by Nicotine Strength: % Value 2019-2021Table 65 NBO Company Shares of E-Vapour Products: % Value 2017-2021Table 66 LBN Brand Shares of E-Vapour Products: % Value 2018-2021Table 67 NBO Company Shares of Tobacco Heating Devices: % Volume 2017-2021Table 68 LBN Brand Shares of Tobacco Heating Devices: % Volume 2018-2021Table 69 NBO Company Shares of Heated Tobacco: % Volume 2017-2021Table 70 LBN Brand Shares of Heated Tobacco: % Volume 2018-2021Table 71 Distribution of E-Vapour Products by Format: % Value 2016-2021Table 72 Distribution of Tobacco Heating Devices by Format: % Volume 2016-2021Table 73 Distribution of Heated Tobacco by Format: % Volume 2016-2021Table 74 Forecast Sales of Tobacco Heating Devices: Volume 2021-2026Table 75 Forecast Sales of Tobacco Heating Devices: % Volume Growth 2021-2026Table 76 Forecast Sales of Heated Tobacco: Volume 2021-2026Table 77 Forecast Sales of Heated Tobacco: % Volume Growth 2021-2026Table 78 Forecast Sales of Smokeless Tobacco, E-Vapour Products and Heated Tobacco by Category: Value 2021-2026Table 79 Forecast Sales of Smokeless Tobacco, E-Vapour Products and Heated Tobacco by Category: % Value Growth 2021-2026
The following categories and subcategories are included:
Tobacco
Fine Cut Cigarettes
Cigars
Cigarillos
Pipe Tobacco
Fine Cut Tobacco
Chewing Tobacco
Loose US-Style Moist Snuff
Portion US-Style Moist Snuff
Swedish-Style Snus
Closed System Single Use
Closed System Rechargeable (including starter kits)
Closed System Cartridges
Open Vaping Systems Charging and Vapourising Devices
E-liquids
Tobacco Heating Devices
Heated Tobacco
Nicotine Pouches
Tobacco
Passport Tobacco covers the seven major tobacco categories: Cigarettes, Cigars & Cigarillos, Smoking tobacco (made up of Pipe tobacco and RYO tobacco), Smokeless Tobacco (snuff and chewing tobacco), E-Vapour Products (closed and open); Heated Tobacco; and Tobacco Free Oral Nicotine. Smoking paraphernalia such as pipes, rolling papers, lighters or matches, etc., are not included, nor are nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products, which are part of Euromonitor's Passport Consumer Healthcare database.