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EU plans massive tobacco tax increase: cigarette prices explode!
The EU is planning a drastic increase in tobacco taxes to reduce consumption and promote health. Consequences and measures discussed.
EU plans massive tobacco tax increase: cigarette prices explode!
The EU Commission is planning a drastic increase in tobacco taxes in order to significantly reduce tobacco consumption and thus minimize health risks. Loud vienna.at A draft for a new tobacco directive is to be drawn up, which the EU commissioners are currently discussing. The aim of this measure is to reduce both the risks of cancer and the associated healthcare costs.
The planned tax increase could cause cigarette prices to rise by up to 20 percent. The price for a pack of cigarettes in Germany is currently around 9 euros, which could result in an increase to 10 euros or more. The new guidelines will be adopted in Brussels in the summer of 2025, after which member states will have to implement them nationally.
Affected products
The planned increase affects not only cigarettes, but also tobacco heaters, e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches. However, nicotine replacement products, such as chewing gum and patches, remain exempt from the tax increase. Tobacco industry experts warn that this move could fuel illegal trade and put restaurants and small retailers under considerable pressure.
Background and necessary measures
The World Health Organization (WHO) has found in a recent analysis that tobacco consumption is a leading cause of death and disability from noncommunicable diseases in Europe. WHO estimates show that around 179 million adults and 4 million young people between the ages of 13 and 15 use tobacco in Europe. In addition, 18% of all noncommunicable disease deaths in the region are due to tobacco use, posing significant public health challenges. Loud WHO If Europe could reach the highest tobacco consumption rate in the world by 2030, more effective measures should not be taken.
WHO has introduced the MPOWER approach to support tobacco control, which includes measures such as increasing tobacco taxes, warning about the dangers of tobacco use and banning the advertising of tobacco products. Many countries in Europe have made progress in this regard, but the path to fully implementing effective tobacco control strategies is far from complete.
Some studies show that higher tobacco prices are considered one of the most effective ways to reduce consumption, encouraging the EU to take these measures. However, it remains to be seen how the planned increases will actually affect consumption and the illegal market.