Expensive enjoyment: EU plans enormous tax increases for cigarettes!

Expensive enjoyment: EU plans enormous tax increases for cigarettes!

Österreich - The European Union plans to significantly increase tobacco taxes in order to significantly reduce the smoking rates. According to Exxpress.at , this could have an impact on prices in countries such as Austria, where the average prices for cigarettes are already € 6.10. In March 2023, tobacco prices in Austria were raised by up to 50 cents. A possible increase in cigarette tax by 20 %, which is speculated by the image, could burden smokers with additional costs in the three -digit euro range per year.

The initiative is part of a comprehensive proposal of the EU Commission, which is to be presented by the end of 2023. merkur.de reports that at a meeting of the EU Council working group for tax questions, an earlier proposal for doubling the minimum consumption tax for cigarettes announced became. For example, the tax for 1000 cigarettes in Germany should increase from 115 euros to 230 euros.

health aspects and reactions

Health experts praise the planned tax increases because the WHO emphasizes that higher tobacco taxation reduces tobacco consumption most effectively. These planned measures are part of the objective to reach a tobacco -free Generation in Europe by 2040, in which less than 5 % of citizens consume tobacco. EU health commissioner Stella Kyriakides has announced that they also check new regulations for e-cigarettes and other replacement products.

This step does not come without controversy. Michael von Foerster, a representative of the tobacco industry, is critical of the health argument behind the tax increases. Industry also warns of the danger that high taxes could promote illegal trade. According to Euractiv.de , illegal tobacco trade in the EU rose by 1.3 billion cigarettes, which corresponds to 3,9 % of the entire market.

tobacco taxes in comparison

Current numbers show big differences in the tobacco taxes of the EU member states. France and Ireland have the highest tax rates, with 6.61 euros and 8.42 euros per pack. These high taxes have also shown positive effects, since the smoking rate in France fell from 36 % in 2017 to 28 % in 2020.

While the EU is committed to the high taxes, there are also concerns within the European Commission. Some members, such as Sara Skyttedal (EVP), warn that high tax burdens may prevent new tobacco and nicotine products from switching to less harmful alternatives. Alessandra Moretti (S&D) contradicts the assumption that new products are fundamentally harmless.

Overall, it can be stated that a comprehensive discussion about the balance between health policy goals and the possible economic consequences of increased tobacco taxes in the EU is necessary. The coming months will be decisive for which direction these guidelines are developing.