November 15, 2003

Unlucky Strike

Like just about everywhere, cigarette prices (or rather taxes) in France have been going up, up and away.

Last month, the government (for reasons of poverty more than anything else) put the prices up again. They also promised to put them up again in January. Two hikes in four months.

Enough, said the tobacconists , or buralistes, we're going on strike. And strike they did. The price rise made me think that I should perhaps stop. Never said that before. Nope. 'Course not.

Then came the strike. It was only a one days strike but, not being the carton buying type (I'm in denial), I naturally ran out at midday. The idea of searching around Provence was too much. I stopped on the spot.

The strike stopped and I didn't strike up. Why let something rule your life (and your wallet) like that?

The Buralistes, however, are still at it. You have to feel sorry for the guys. Tobacco distribution is completely controlled by the state (though the manufacture of domestic brands was privatised by Jospin's Socialist government.) It works a bit like Alcohol in some US states; the buralistes sell the cigarettes (no reduction for cartons, no generic brands) and get a fee (usually several months later) from the state. Given that they do not have to put money up front for their goods, they tend to have a lot in store (and more brands than the UK has dead cows.)

This gave rise (just after the last price hike) to a bunch of heists in the Département (county) of Dordogne. The thieves had broken holes in their storage rooms. National TV reported it and pointed out that any given tobacconists probably has (at ~ €5 per pack) some € 30,000 worth of packs at any given time. That, pointed out the helpful TV anchor, and it's much easier than robbing a bank.

"Why didn't I think of that?" I exclaimed, almost out loud from the depths of my potato stained couch. I often have fantasies about being a crim. Like everyone else, however (except crims) I am too bourgeois (city dwelling being the correct translation) to actually be one.

Others didn't quite have the same reaction as I. There is now an epidemic of roberies. Deliveries of cigarettes are now done with armoured trucks. The buralistes, meanwhile, have been picketing supply depots and borders (over which people hop to get cheaper fags) and even, today, had a summit with the Prime minister. He promised them that there would be no price rise for the next four years. Not enough, said the buralistes, who suddenly have spokesmen and the like. The anti smoking lobby accused them of neo-poujadisme, referring to the small shopkeeper tax revolt of the 50's.

The saga continues.

Posted by tomfox at November 15, 2003 02:19 AM | TrackBack
---->