French tobacconists angry at plans to raise cigarettes prices carried out an unusual carrot protest on Wednesday, during which hundreds of the root vegetables were dumped outside the Ministry of Health in Paris.

Under government plans to cut smoking, the price of a standard packet of cigarettes will rise six times from around €6.50 to €10 over the course of the next two-and-a-half years.

READ MORE: French tobacconists protest govt plan to raise cigarette prices

In September, France’s Health Minister described the price hike as “imperative” to public health.

“The increase in the price of tobacco will be the strengthening of youth awareness and prevention policy,” she said.

La 📉 de la conso de tabac : "un impératif de santé publique. Son prix augmentera en plusieurs étapes jusqu’au paquet à 10€ en 2020" @Europe1pic.twitter.com/6GWhsQGbz0 — Agnès Buzyn (@agnesbuzyn) September 20, 2017 /

La hausse du prix du tabac s'accompagnera du renforcement d'1 politique de prévention et de sensibilisation à l'égard des jeunes notamment. — Agnès Buzyn (@agnesbuzyn) September 20, 2017

In protest at the strategy, tobacco sellers, known as buralistes, drove vehicles slowly from Maisons-Alfort towards Health Ministry, some 17 kilometers away in the 7th arrondissement of the capital.

Des #buralistes sont venus de toute la France pour manifester à Paris. Ici des bretons pic.twitter.com/VdSZxbCGtg — Jonathan Moadab (@Jonathan_RTfr) October 4, 2017

Les #buralistes approchent dû ministère de la Santé. Ils font exploser des pétards pic.twitter.com/SxvjuG4Qoz — Jonathan Moadab (@Jonathan_RTfr) October 4, 2017

Many sellers fear consumers will be driven to buy products on the black market or abroad.

4 camions viennent d’arriver. Une centaine de buraliste va partir en opération escargot sur le périphérique. #ManifBuralistespic.twitter.com/F1GBwJ5cw9 — Arnaud Tousch (@nanotousch) October 4, 2017

During the demonstration protesters dumped around one ton of raw carrots in front of the office of the health minister. A number of fireworks were also reportedly set off around the government buildings.

Une tonne de carotte déversée devant le ministère de la santé #buralistespic.twitter.com/JEY3ZRnV75 — Jonathan Moadab (@Jonathan_RTfr) October 4, 2017

"Je vous demande de ne pas jeter de carottes sur les CRS!" #buralistespic.twitter.com/wRaSomimKr — Jonathan Moadab (@Jonathan_RTfr) October 4, 2017

According to the Local France, the carrot symbolizes the traditional tobacco sign that can be found outside some shops that sell cigarettes.

In France, the signs are referred to as “carotte de tabac”.