FRANCE TO BAN SMOKING AT PUBLIC PARKS & BEACHES, EYES PLAIN PACKAGING FOR ALL TOBACCO PRODUCTS

[El Presidente]

 

https://halfwheel.com/france-to-ban-smoking-at-public-parks-beaches-eyes-plain-packaging-for-all-tobacco-products/432080/

 

For cigar smokers, the plain packaging component could be jarring. If France applies the same sort of packaging rules for cigars as it already has for cigarettes, it would mean that cigars would be sold in neutral color packaging with large health warnings replacing labels. Consumers would be able to identify what cigar they are smoking by small text printed on the the packaging, both box and band.

[Lunettesman]

All while their prime minister is vaping at the parlement. People call her Mamie vape...

[MagicalBikeRide]

It’s been here in Ireland for years now. The biggest headache, in my view, is actually that you’re not allowed take the original cigar box.

So, for example, if you were to buy a 50 cab of the PLPC above, the retailer is not technically allowed give you the cabinet or even the ribbon. They must package 50 individual sticks, each wrapped with the plain package band, and sell to you like this. 

It’s a pain for storage, tracking box codes, batches, etc. but most troubling - in more recent times, it’s made verification of authenticity almost impossible for the consumer. 

[BrightonCorgi]

Only a couple of more nails before they just axe cigars altogether.  Black market illegalities are rejoicing.

[Ford2112]

Coming soon the Quai d'Orsay travesty. 50 ct

[Hammer Smokin']

Well, that looks familiar. 

At least in reading France tax prices you still haven't reached (nearly reached) our level of taxation. 

Imagine those cigars in that state but paying 2.5x more than they cost in France. 

Death blow. 

[Rushman]

5 hours ago, MagicalBikeRide said:

 but most troubling - in more recent times, it’s made verification of authenticity almost impossible for the consumer. 

This. This worries me the most. 

[frenchkiwi]

Bienvenue en Nouvelle Zelande, mes amis.

I enjoyed flying visits to cigar shops on my way through Italy and Switzerland recently (shout out to the excellent people at Urs Portmann Kreuzlingen) where they were 2x cheaper than in New Zealand, identifiable with their bands still on and in their original boxes. All other things being equal I would move house & country to be closer to one of those cigar shops!

As an aside, I discovered those odd-shaped Toscano cigars made out of Kentucky Fried Tobacco, anniversary reserve ones were not bad at all...