All but one of the EU member states agree on revising the tax framework for cigarettes and tobacco products in general.
At Monday’s meeting, EU finance ministers discussed the proposal for a comprehensive update of the EU’s tobacco taxation framework, which has remained largely unchanged since 2011.
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Nikos Christodoulides is in Antalya, Turkey, today
In his remarks, Simon Harris, Deputy Prime Minister of Ireland and Minister of Finance, expressed regret that “the Council was unable today to reach a final agreement on the revision of the Tobacco Taxation Directive.”
Harris did not name the single member state among the 27 that is objecting and thus blocking the adoption of the new package of measures, but reports suggest it is Malta.
He did note, however, that significant progress has been made on this issue, adding that “we presented a balanced proposal to the Council, which will protect the public health of our citizens and strengthen the enforcement of single market rules.”
“As the Presidency, we will continue to work toward finding a solution with the Member State that still disagrees. We will not reopen negotiations, but we will not lose sight of the public health goals we must all strive to achieve,” he continued.
The revision aims to modernize the EU’s tobacco taxation framework to support public health objectives and to align tax policy with current market dynamicsmarket forces, the Commission emphasized.
The proposal will make tax rates more consistent across the EU and, for the first time, include new products such as e-cigarette liquids, nicotine pouches, and heated tobacco.
Source: PROTO THEMA
