-
PHOTO: Driver crosses camel on a road in the west of France
The animal had escaped from a nearby travelling circus and taken a stroll
-
Dried sausages recalled across France over salmonella fears
Contaminated products were sold in several major French supermarket chains including Super U and Carrefour
-
Proposed tax rises on well-off in France: who is deemed wealthy?
The PM is considering several options to raise the billions needed to address the country’s deficit
Tobacco protest dumps 1,2 tonnes of carrots on Paris
Tobacconists are delivering 1,2 tonnes of carrots to the French health ministry today as part of a protest at the rising price of a packet of cigarettes.
A convoy of 50 vehicles has been driving very slowly towards Paris since the early hours - in a “snail operation” around the capital’s ring road (périphérique) - to denounce what some have called “the madness” of a €10 packet of cigarettes.
At midday, the tobacconists dropped 1,2 tonnes of carrots in front of the ministry (as carrots are the profession’s symbol) in protest at rising prices.
According to the minister for health, the price of a cigarette packet is expected to rise six times from now to 2020, at which point it is expected to reach €10.
This month, the minimum price set for a packet rose from €6,61 up to €7,33, ahead of a further rise in prices expected in November.
French tobacconists have said they are worried that customers will be tempted by lower prices over the border in neighbouring countries, and the risk of a parallel market rising up in response to the €10 cost.
They are demanding a cost more in line with what they say are other prices seen across Europe, and some of the protesters wore shirts reading “Tous Frontaliers en Peril” (“All those near the border in peril!”).
Stay informed:
Sign up to our free weekly e-newsletter
Subscribe to access all our online articles and receive our printed monthly newspaper The Connexion at your home. News analysis, features and practical help for English-speakers in France