Brussels – Today, fifteen member states, including the Czech Republic, voiced their concerns in Brussels regarding the inadequacy of the tobacco taxation directive. A letter signed by the finance and economy ministers, including Zbyňek Stanjura, states that the current legislative framework is obsolete and fails to adequately address the current tobacco market landscape, particularly with respect to new products.
The finance ministers highlighted ongoing issues with smuggling, illegal trade, and the production of tobacco products, which they assert undermine the single market.
They also noted that the EU Council has urged the European Commission, in June 2020 and February 2025, to put forward a legislative proposal that would respond to current market trends.
The ministers expressed disappointment that the Commission has not yet prioritized the update of the directive in its work program for this year. They stressed the need for the tobacco taxation directive to be tackled separately from the revision of the tobacco products directive.
In December of last year, a similar proposal was made by 16 EU member states, including the Czech Republic, calling on the European Commission to propose a new regulation regarding the taxation of tobacco products, encompassing new items like electronic cigarettes. This time, Austria has joined the initiative, while Croatia and Portugal have withdrawn since December. (May 26)
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