Pens, lighters and wallets are padlocked behind glass, like in a jewelry store. On the left, a PMU terminal and, stashed at the back behind the counter, rows of cigarette packs. Bright, modern, stylish, the tobacco shop at the Créteil Soleil shopping center (Val-de-Marne) could serve as an advertising model for the government.
Because since 2018, the state has been working to change this two-headed profession (tobacconists are both customs administration officials and traders), “penalized by the increase in the price of a pack of cigarettes”. The 2020-2021 tobacco plan, presented this Monday to the interregional customs department in Boissy-Saint-Léger (Val-de-Marne), accelerates the transition between a simple tobacco dealer and a local merchant. It provides for the renewal of processing aid of 20 million per year, or on average 1950 euros per tobacconist. More than 1,250 files, out of around 24,000 tobacconists, have already been submitted in two years.
“We must evolve, better welcome customers, attract non-smokers”
“This aid will make it possible to renovate premises which are sometimes dilapidated. Today, the shell is not very attractive, it is a reality, recognizes Philippe Coy, president of the national confederation of tobacconists. We must evolve, better welcome customers, attract non-smokers. I see the tobacco shop as an extension of public services. “
Last year, tobacconists also jumped at an additional opportunity to reduce their dependence on the sale of cigarettes: they won a call for tenders which has allowed them, since the end of July, to collect local taxes, fines, etc. canteen or nursery costs. In Ile-de-France, 671 debiters offer this service, including 90 in Val-de-Marne.
“The diversification of activities is gradually compensating for the fall in the sale of tobacco, the volume of which has fallen by more than 50% over the past twenty years,” recalls Philippe Coy. This is not reflected in the average turnover, thanks to the increase in the price of the package, but the stores are less crowded. ”After parcel relays and vaping products, the confederation is experimenting with“ snacking ”and key concierge offers, surfing on the success of Airbnb.
A “Stop tobacco trafficking” application
In addition to the various financial aids, the new tobacco plan makes it easier to report street vendors. Gone are the days of the good old sheet that the merchant would fill in every time he spotted a suspicious unloading or traffic in the street. From now on, anyone can download the “stop tobacco traffic” application and give the alert in a few clicks.
“It must be emphasized that if the State is working to reduce tobacco consumption, this has consequences on the activity of tobacconists and that this makes the fight against contraband even more legitimate to support the transformation of the tobacco shop network. “, Argued Olivier Dussopt, Minister Delegate in charge of Public Accounts, during his visit to Boissy-Saint-Léger.
But for Laurent Simon, tobacconist at the Val de Fontenay station in Fontenay-sous-Bois, and president of the Val-de-Marne delegation, this application “remains of the gadget”. “It is essential, but insufficient. It makes the reports simpler, except that we have no feedback on what is done at customs level. This does not encourage us to continue. “
