In France, a pack of Marlboros now costs €13. For thousands of smokers, this inflation makes each puff more expensive than a meal. Faced with these soaring prices, some are turning to cross-border car-sharing, notably to Andorra and Spain, where cigarettes cost much less. But behind this practice lie financial, legal and health risks that we urgently need to understand.
This article in no way encourages smoking. Quite the contrary: it highlights the absurdity of tobacco expenditure and reminds us that the only real way to save money is to stop.
Tobacco prices: an abyss in France, a temptation in Andorra
In France: Europe’s most expensive pack 🇫🇷
A pack of Marlboros costs €13.
- 1 pack per day = €13 × 30 = €390 per month
- Over one year: €4,680
- Over 10 years: €46,800
Enough to buy a small new car every two years, or an apartment in certain regions.
In Andorra: up to three times cheaper 🇦🇩
In Andorra, a pack of Marlboro sells for between €3.50 and €4.54.
- 1 pack/day at €4 = €120/month
- Monthly savings: €270
- Annual savings: €3,240
- Savings over 10 years: €32,400
In Spain, prices are around €3 to €6 a pack: still half the price in France.
This difference fuels constant traffic to these border countries, where cigarettes are seen as a commercial loss leader.
What are the customs rules?
From Spain (European Union country)
Authorized quotas per person: Since the new decree of March 27, 2024, which came into force on March 29, the limit of one carton of cigarettes per person has been lifted. From now on, you can legally bring back up to 800 cigarettes (or 4 cartons) from a European Union country, as well as 400 cigarillos, 200 cigars or 1 kg of rolling tobacco, as long as it’s for your own personal consumption .
Be careful, however: customs use 12 criteria (including quantity, mode of transport, or even the location of the products in the vehicle) to check whether the purchase is really for personal use . If you have any doubts about your motives, you are still liable to penalties – confiscation, fines or even seizure – even if you are under the authorized thresholds.
🇦🇩 From Andorra (outside the European Union)
The limits are stricter:
- 300 cigarettes (1.5 cartons)
- or 150 cigarillos
- or 75 cigars
- or 400 g tobacco
These quantities are considered personal use. Exceeding these thresholds is subject to stricter controls.
Financial risks in the event of overruns
Many people think it’s enough to bring back “a little more” without being worried. This is not the case. Customs don’t just count packages: they also examine the frequency of journeys, the traveler’s profile and the consistency of purchases.
In case of overrun :
- Immediate confiscation of tobacco
- Fine of up to €750
- In some cases, seizure of the vehicle used for transportation
The “good plan” can therefore cost much more than buying cigarettes in France.
Testimonial: the illusion of saving
“With two friends, we carpool once a month to Andorra. I buy my cartridges for two months at half price. But every journey is stressful. You know that if you’re caught with one cartridge too many, you risk a lot. And in the end, I’m still spending money on smoking, I’m still a prisoner.
This testimonial reveals a truth: even at reduced prices, smokers only maintain their addiction.
The only real way to save money: stop smoking
Even at €4 a pack, a smoker still spends €1,460 a year.
Even at €3.50, over 10 years, that’s €12,775 gone up in smoke… not counting the cost to health.
Tobacco isn’t just about money. It causes :
- cancers, cardiovascular diseases, heart attacks
- average loss of 10 years’ life expectancy
- a dependency that dictates commutes, expenses and daily choices
MyLaserTabac: free yourself from tobacco and other addictions
At MyLaserTabac, we help people free themselves from their addictions every day. Our method is based on auricular reflexologywhich stimulates specific points in the ear related to addiction.
- A gentle, natural and effective method
- Support in many departments in France and abroad
- Results also for sugar, alcohol and cannabis addictions
Rather than spending fortunes on cheaper routes or packs, choose independence: the independence of no longer depending on tobacco.
Conclusion: Carpooling or freedom?
Yes, buying cigarettes in Andorra or Spain is much cheaper than in France. Yes, carpooling may seem a clever solution. But this saving is an illusion. Smokers remain addicted, take legal and financial risks, and continue to sacrifice their health.
The real solution is not to buy cheaper, but to stop buying at all. With MyLaserTabacstop today and start saving for real – money, time, and above all, years of life.
