Cigarette purchases in the EU: portrait of Sami, the Sciences Po student who succeeded in bringing the French state to its knees

Martin Lange / Photo credits: Quentin Falco / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP 07:31, April 2, 2024, modified at 07:31, April 2, 2024

To comply with European law, France has removed the limit of 200 cigarettes, or one carton, that a smoker was authorized to bring back from another country of the European Union, according to a decree published Friday in the Journal official. 

“We have completely changed the logic, we no longer rely at all on a logic of volume and cartridges. Customs officers now have the possibility of relying on a set of clues, of seizing and sanctioning (...) those for which there is a presumption of trade and therefore of illegal trade", indicated the Minister Delegate in charge of Public Accounts Thomas Cazenave during a press point. Until now, adult individuals traveling to an EU country were allowed to bring back 200 cigarettes (1 carton), 50 cigars, 250 grams of smoking tobacco, and 100 cigarillos.

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Law student digs into European legislation

We owe this little revolution to a law student. In 2020, Sami, a student at Sciences Po, read the newspaper when he discovered that the government was preparing to reduce the cigarette import limit. Out of curiosity, the law student searches European legislation and discovers that it is much more permissive. It is 800 cigarettes per trip, the equivalent of four cartridges. He then decides to write to the Prime Minister. “I wrote to the Prime Minister knowing full well that my request would not be granted. I am legally obliged to write to the Prime Minister, before attacking her decision to the Council of State,” explains Sami.

Last September, the highest administrative court ruled in his favor, forcing the government to comply with European law. A question of principle for Sami. "When you run a red light or you get a fine, because you ran a red light. When the administration violates the law, it must also be sanctioned in the same way. Failure to respect the law by the administration is something that is unacceptable in my opinion." 

And in his quest for justice, Sami found new struggles. This week, he is awaiting a decision from the Council of State, this time, concerning Master mobility assistance. An allowance of 1,000 euros which does not concern all students, which he considers discriminatory.