Faced with the increasing number of forest fires and their rising cost, Yannick Neuder, a member of parliament for the Isère region representing the Republicans party, wants to introduce a new levy on cigarette manufacturers. The aim is to create a fund specifically dedicated to financing the prevention and suppression of forest fires, given that more than 117.000 hectares have already been destroyed by flames since the beginning of 2026.
A 2% tax applied directly to manufacturers
The proposal includes a 2% tax on cigarette manufacturers. In practical terms, this would amount to a contribution of approximately €15 per 1.000 cigarettes sold, or the equivalent of 30 cents per pack of 20 cigarettes. This tax would be levied directly on the tobacco industry. According to Yannick Neuder, they would not be obligated to automatically pass this increase on to consumers, although this option would remain at their discretion.
A fund that could reach 350 million euros
According to estimates put forward by the MP, this tax would generate approximately 350 million euros per year. These resources would be used to finance fire prevention, strengthen resources for fighting forest fires, and support services mobilized in response to disasters.
The link between cigarette butts and fires
This initiative also stems from the fact that cigarette butts are a recurring cause of wildfires, particularly during periods of drought or extreme heat. A single cigarette butt discarded in dry vegetation can be enough to ignite a fire that spreads rapidly over several hectares. The proposal therefore aims to require financial contributions from manufacturers of a product whose use can, in certain situations, contribute to the outbreak of fires.
A bill to be introduced
The text must now be submitted to Parliament as a bill. It will then follow the usual legislative process before potential review by the National Assembly and then the Senate. If adopted, this contribution would create a new funding mechanism dedicated to forest fires, in a context marked by an intensification of fires across France.
