Andorra Rejects Easing Tobacco Sales Rules Amid French Border Closure

Andorran Head of Government Xavier Espot firmly rejected easing tobacco sales restrictions at Pas de la Casa during a press conference following yesterday's Council of Ministers meeting, despite pleas from retailers facing economic strain from the RN-20 road closure in France.

The disruptions have prompted tobacco merchants to call for lifting measures such as sales hour limits and new licence suspensions, introduced last year in the Regulation on Control of Sensitive Goods to curb illicit tobacco trafficking. Espot categorically dismissed the idea, stating the rules "are not designed to hinder Pas de la Casa's economic activity" but to combat smuggling. "It cannot be that situations like the one in France lead us to relax structural measures," he said, warning it would send a counterproductive diplomatic signal at a time when good neighbourly relations with France are "more essential than ever."

Espot highlighted France's substantial costs to restore road access and argued that easing controls would harm both countries long-term by enabling smugglers. He stressed Andorra's need to support its neighbour amid the crisis, rather than appearing weak.

On employment impacts, Espot ruled out temporary regulation plans (ERTOs) for affected workers. Although initially considered, they are no longer viable. "The aim is to preserve jobs," he explained, noting the situation does not compare to the Covid crisis and that ERTOs would be an overreaction, potentially counterproductive due to implementation complexities and medium-term economic effects.

The anti-smuggling measures differ from separate government economic support announced for businesses hit by the border issues, Espot clarified. Retailers maintain the controls are exacerbating their losses.