Question 4214 — taxes and duties

Summary

Mr. Christian Girard alerts the Minister of the Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty to the potentially disastrous consequences of the increase in the tax on sugary drinks for the sector of cafes, hotels, restaurants and drinking establishments (CHRD) provided for by article 9 bis of the social security financing bill for 2025. Even if the soda tax responds to a public health concern linked to the increase in obesity among young people, this new tax risks dealing a fatal blow to the CHRD sector, already very weakened by the 8,557 business failures in 2024. Thus, in less than fifty years, the number of cafes in France has fallen from 200,000 to less than 30,000. While this sector plays an essential role, particularly in rural areas, in maintaining social ties and encouraging territories, the increase in this taxation risks worsening the financial difficulties of professionals and leading to new closures, thus threatening thousands of jobs. In fact, non-alcoholic drinks, including sodas, represent more than half of the turnover of these establishments. A significant increase in the tax could lead to a drop in consumption, directly affecting the income of cafeterias and restaurateurs, particularly in rural areas where they often play a crucial role. This measure comes on top of other burdens already weighing on the sector, such as the deposit tax and the alcohol tax, threatening the viability of many businesses and, consequently, employment and regional planning. Faced with this situation, he asks if the Government plans to suspend this increase in the tax on sugary drinks. and to integrate this reflection into the broader framework of the debate on food announced by the Minister of Labor, Health, Solidarity and Families on January 19. He also wishes to know what alternative measures could be proposed to support the CHRD sector while pursuing public health objectives.

Machine translation from French. The official text remains authoritative.

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