STORY
The European Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee is due to vote on proposals for the review of EU excise duties on tobacco and related products. The work is linked to the EU’s target of a “tobacco-free generation” by 2040.
The recommendations cover newer products including e-cigarettes, as well as raw tobacco. The debate reflects the difficulty of updating EU tax and public health rules at a time when nicotine markets are changing more quickly than the legislation designed to regulate them.
Any changes to tobacco excise rules would have implications for public health, national tax revenues and cross-border sales. Member states have differing tax systems and public health priorities, meaning the file is likely to require careful negotiation.