FRENCH TOBACCO.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20292, 28 December 1927, Page 7

FRENCH TOBACCO.

GOVERNMENT MONOPOLY,

A new tobacco shop oi the most np-to-datc and luxurious typo has been opened in Paris. It is a sign of the modernisation of the French tobacco trade, for not long ago the smoker could satisfy his needs only in the dingy little bistros, where the sale of tobacco contended with that of drink and postage stamps, where cigarettes were handed out in screws of paper and change was always unobtainable. There are few independent tobacco shops in Paris. The trade is a strict Government monopoly, the profits are fixed at 6 to 9 per cent., and it is difficult to make a living by the sale of tobacco only. Indeed, it is impossible in the more expensive quarters, where rents are high and appearance must be kept up. The Champs Elysoes Tabac, which has opened the now shop, could count on a dead loss if it wore not for the sales of expensive smokers’ luxuries —long, elaborate cigarette holders, ash trays, cigar and cigarette boxes, cigar cutters and cases. Ever since the new shops began to open the tobacco dealers have been at war with the regie over this question. They argue that the better elass of shop cannot keep open on a profit of 0 per cent., and point for proof to the fact that many tobacco shops have been closed and sold at Strasbure and Mulhouse since the French Administration took them over.

Yet the' Government does not quite refuse to move. After the war an effort was made fo improve the earnings of the State monopoly by improving the quality and appearance of its goods and increasing their variety. In France 200.000 tons of tobacco a>' C grown and 10,000 tons in Algeria. France imports every year 100,000 tons of Virginia leaf and 5000 tons from the Near East, together with a little Havana leaf and about 5,000,000 ready-mad' l cigars. Itritish pipe tobacco ami cigarettes are also imported, but the cheap cigars prevent, the pipe habit from spreading mud). Of all this trade 00 per •rent, still passes eventually (hrough the little debits. The new shop in the Champs Elysees, with its modern expensive decoration—grey and natural walnut panelling and light filtered through eubi.stie troughs of frosted glass—will need a b:g turnover to make it a success.