Higher tobacco duties from 1 Oct include a 6.5 per cent hike in the excise tax on cigarettes, raising the price of a pack by about EUR 0.40, Radio France Internationale (RFI) reported.

Tobacco industry representatives worry the increase will cause more French to buy tobacco products in neighbouring countries, where prices are lower, RFI said on its website. An estimated 20 per cent of French smokers purchase products outside France, according to RFI. Budget Minister Jerome Cahuzac said more increases are likely in the next five years as part of a national public health effort, RFI reported. (pi)