French smokers win tax reprieve

French senators want to protect the country's rural tobacconists

Cigarette sellers across France have won a partial victory in their battle against a rise in tobacco taxes.

Members of France's senate have voted to roll back a tax increase scheduled for January next year.

The measure, which still needs the approval of the lower house of Parliament to become law, would cut the planned 20% rise to between 8% and 10%.

Thousands of tobacco sellers took to the streets of Paris on Monday to protest against the tax rise.

'A bit of cowardice'

Tobacconists say tax increases are driving them out of business and boosting demand for cigarettes on the black market.

One senator said the vote in favour of cutting the tax rise was an attempt to protect tobacco vendors and "the residents of rural areas where the smoke shops play an important role".

However, critics accused the government of backing down unnecessarily in the face protests.

Former socialist minister Pierre Moscovici described the vote as "a bit of cowardice".

'Fair reform'

The proposed tobacco tax increase is part of a government health campaign aimed at toughening laws against underage smoking and restricting smoking in public places.

The average cost of a pack of cigarettes in France has already risen this year to 4.60 euros (£3.10; $5.40), from 3.90 euros.

But conservative Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin has insisted that January's rise will go ahead as planned.

"We have to go for a fair reform, one that gets us beyond the threshold, beyond five euros," he said.