Plain packaging: now French tobacconists are in revolt
Friday, November 7, 2014 at 13:18 
French government minister Christian Eckert got a rough ride in Paris on Thursday.
Invited to address the Congress of Tobacconists the junior Budget minister was welcomed by the sight of 500 delegates wearing white masks to represent their opposition to plain packaging.
According to one report (I paraphrase):
The minister had to face boos and whistles from tobacconists, now unmasked. At times the minister was inaudible.
Despite this hostile environment Eckert outlined government policy on tobacco including key measures such as plain packaging, which was loudly booed by the audience.
In contrast Pascal Montredon, president of the French tobacconist federation, got a standing ovation when he declared:
“Tobacconists love France. The French love their tobacconists. But does this government love the tobacconists?”
Below: French junior Budget minister Christian Eckert addresses the tobacconists' national congress in Paris on November 6:
Photos: Bertrand Guay/AFP/Getty Images
Reader Comments (3)
Don't push the French too far...big mistake!
The French god bless 'em always tend to stand their ground when pushed too far...and this is one of those occasions I thought the pic had been photo-shopped, but it turns out that's how the delegates actually turned up - great!
What the antis hadn't reckoned on was that this so called PP would engender such a revolt that has no intention of going away. We on this side of the argument can be just as determined if not more so than any zealot...and we have right on our side.
As the Chinese say: 'May we live in interesting times!'
Thank God for the French!
Seems odd to me. When I was passing through France, I found big tobacco supermarkets just over the border with Belgium so anyone affected by plain packs in France only has to walk a few yards, or drive a few miles, to Belgium and actually enjoy the same legal consumer rights to brand recognition, product information and price comparison as any other legit consumer.
It's madness but then PP is born of hate and spite so why would any of it make sense.
Up the French!