The company, which agreed to have an independent expert study the closures after a public outcry, issued a statement saying that the company had informed the staff council of its decision to go ahead and close the Morlaix and Tonneins plants.

It said in November that it would shut down the factories because of dwindling demand for its dark tobacco cigarettes and cigars and close two distribution centres, affecting 556 people.

Seita will create a small workshop in Morlaix in Brittany employing 40 people, compared with 172 at the cigar factory.

"Seita will take the necessary time and measures to propose a solution to each worker concerned, and each situation will be studied individually," Chairman Jean-Dominique Comolli said. (Reuters)