Nice 2026: How mobile technology is redefining the security of tobacconists
Protecting tobacconists is no longer just a matter of metal shutters or ceiling-mounted cameras. In Nice, at the start of 2026, the security of tobacco shops is entering a new era: that of real-time connected alerts via smartphone.
The city of Nice has formalized an agreement with the Federation of Tobacconists of the Alpes-Maritimes to deploy a system unprecedented in France: a mobile alert button directly connected to the municipal police. Behind this measure lies a broader strategy combining the fight against assaults, the fight against smuggling, and the modernization of urban security tools.
A profession under constant pressure
Tobacconists are among the retailers most exposed to security risks. Their business combines several vulnerability factors: handling cash, storing high-value products, and extended opening hours.
Nationally, the trend is worrying. In 2024, more than 1,400 armed robberies were recorded against businesses, a significant increase compared to the previous year. Burglaries specifically targeting tobacconists number in the thousands each year.
In Nice, the 93 tobacconists spread across the city operate in a unique context. The continued rise in tobacco prices – with packs now approaching €13 – makes stockpiles more attractive to criminals. At the same time, the massive growth of the black market creates a tense environment.
Estimates suggest that approximately 40% of tobacco consumed may originate from illegal channels, with even higher rates in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA) region according to some industry sources. A collection of empty cigarette packs carried out in the city in 2025 revealed that more than half of the cigarettes found in public spaces were contraband.
This parallel economy not only weakens turnover – some declines reach 20 to 40% in the most affected areas – it is also accompanied by criminal phenomena: organized thefts to supply the black market, intimidation and tensions near official points of sale.
Nice's response: a structured partnership
Faced with this double challenge – direct violence and illegal trafficking – the Nice city council has chosen to institutionalize its action.
On January 30, 2026, a specific agreement was signed with the Federation of Tobacconists of the Alpes-Maritimes. This is a national first: never before has a municipality formalized such a targeted partnership with the profession.
The objective is not merely symbolic. It is about fully integrating tobacconists into the city's urban security ecosystem.
From physical button to smart mobile alert
Nice already had a system of anti-aggression devices connected to the Urban Supervision Centre (CSU). These devices, linked by SIM card, made it possible to send a silent alert in case of danger.
The novelty lies in the transition to a mobile solution.
The VigiNice app, launched at the end of 2025, is gradually replacing the 1,700 devices already deployed in the city. Installed on the shopkeeper's smartphone, it offers a virtual emergency button that can be activated instantly.
As soon as the alarm is triggered, the signal is transmitted to the CSU (Central Surveillance Unit). Nearby municipal cameras automatically rotate towards the affected business. Operators have live access to the images and can analyze the situation in real time.
An audio monitoring system also captures the ambient sound of the point of sale. This capability provides law enforcement with an immediate assessment of the threat level.
Simultaneously, the nearest municipal police patrols are alerted and dispatched to the scene. According to initial reports, the intervention can take place in less than five minutes.
This system is strictly reserved for serious situations: robbery in progress, armed assault, imminent threat. It does not replace traditional channels for minor incidents.
An accessible business model
The technical infrastructure – connection to the CSU, integration into the municipal network, training – is provided by the City. The merchant only finances their equipment and mobile subscription.
The entry cost remains moderate, especially compared to private remote monitoring systems. This accessibility encourages the gradual adoption of the system by professionals.
A broader security ecosystem
The alert button is not an isolated solution. It is part of a larger system.
The municipality already offers free security audits to identify vulnerabilities in businesses. SMS alerts inform shopkeepers in real time of incidents occurring in their neighborhood. Nice's video surveillance system, among the most advanced in France, enhances its capacity for analysis and intervention.
The mobile application also opens the door to other uses. Trials are underway to equip sensitive public institutions – schools, nurseries, hospitals – with a similar system.
Sharing a single tool for different types of threats improves the overall effectiveness of the Urban Supervision Center.
A strong signal sent to parallel networks
Beyond individual protection, this initiative conveys a clear political message: the municipality will not leave regulated businesses to face the black market alone.
By strengthening cooperation between municipal police and tobacconists, the city aims to restore a climate of trust and reduce the influence of illegal circuits.
Merchants now have designated contacts to report illegal sales and suspicious behavior. This coordination strengthens the fight against smuggling.
Towards a nationwide rollout?
The Nice initiative could serve as a model. The National Confederation of Tobacconists is closely monitoring the system. Other local authorities are observing the experiment with interest.
In some regions, financial aid has already enabled the distribution of connected alert buttons. The Nice experience, more integrated into the municipal system, could inspire a more structured national framework.
Connected security and regulated commerce
The implementation of the mobile alert button in Nice illustrates the evolution of urban security strategies. Faced with identified risks – assaults, robberies, smuggling – the response is no longer limited to physical measures. It is becoming digital, connected, and coordinated.
For tobacconists, who are often on the front line, this innovation represents both an operational tool and a signal of institutional support.
In a sector subject to strict regulatory and tax constraints, protecting the point of sale becomes a strategic issue. Nice has chosen to address this through technology and partnerships.
