Sixteen European Union countries have urged the European Commission to propose new tax rules for tobacco products, including emerging products like e-cigarettes, which are not currently covered by existing regulations, Reuters reports.
The initiative is led by the Netherlands, which has garnered support from Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Slovakia, Spain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Ireland, Slovenia, and Portugal.
Finance ministers from these countries argue that the Commission should update the 2011 taxation framework for tobacco products. In the absence of regulations for new devices like e-cigarettes, each country has implemented its own standards and excise tax rates, which distorts the single market.
According to a joint letter, “Under the current directive, most of these products cannot be taxed as traditional tobacco products. The provisions of the current directive are either insufficient or too narrow to address the challenges faced by member states’ administrations due to the constantly evolving offerings of the tobacco industry.”
The letter continues, “Due to shortcomings in EU legislation, member states have implemented their own measures at the national level. This has led to fragmentation, uneven playing fields, and, ultimately, distortions in our internal market.”
Talks about updating tobacco taxation standards have taken place in previous years, but now, after delays, member states are urging the newly installed European Commission, which began its work on December 1, to urgently address this legislation. The new proposal is expected to be presented by the EU executive in spring 2025, according to the countries that signed the letter.
Currently, the European Commission has set certain limits for e-cigarettes, such as nicotine content, and manufacturers must register with their national governments before selling such products. However, different EU member states have varying regulations. In France, for example, these products cannot be purchased by individuals under 18, and their use is also banned in some public places, including universities and public transport.
Italy lifted the ban on smoking e-cigarettes in public places in 2013, but their use is still prohibited in schools and near school premises.
In March of this year, Belgium announced that it would ban the sale of disposable e-cigarettes starting next year. It will become the first EU country to remove these products from the market.
