The Polish EU Presidency is pushing forward the discussion over taxing alternative tobacco products, according to a non-paper seen by Euractiv.
Unlike traditional tobacco, these products currently lack an EU-wide excise framework.
Yet the tobacco market has undergone “dramatic changes” in recent years, the document notes, with novel products like e-cigarettes, heated tobacco, and nicotine pouches rapidly gaining ground.
While industry-funded studies claim these products are safer than traditional tobacco, the EU, WHO, and other health agencies have adopted a “precautionary principle,” citing unknown long-term health effects as these products have only been recently introduced in the market.
“The market has already seen nicotine toothpicks and nicotine gummies; perhaps nicotine toothpaste will be next,” it reads.
EU diplomats are now set to discuss the matter tomorrow as part of the working party on Indirect Taxation despite the Commission’s decision to leave the revision of the tobacco tax directive out of its 2025 working programme.
Targeting young people
The Presidency’s paper says these products are not just marketed broadly, but “primary target groups are children and adolescents for whom these products serve as a gateway to nicotine addiction.”
Citing WHO data, the non-paper says children aged 13-15 use e-cigarettes more frequently than adults. Marketing strategies, it says, portray these products as less harmful than cigarettes and even a tool for quitting smoking.
“As a result, they do not carry the stigma associated with traditional tobacco products and may be more socially acceptable.”
Industry’s push for taxation
Sources close to the discussion confirmed to Euractiv that some industry players are mounting pressure on the Commission to tax new products to avoid an outright ban as their regulatory limbo drags on.
For example, France has already notified the Commission of its wish to ban nicotine pouches following the finalisation of the ban on single-use vapes.
Meanwhile, some EU ministers are taking a step further.
“We don’t just need a smoke-free generation; we need a nicotine-free generation. Many health ministers support this idea. After the pharmaceutical package, tobacco legislation should be next,” Estonian Health Minister Riina Sikkut told Euractiv last week.
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