At a meeting of EU finance ministers in Brussels, 26 member states supported the reform of tobacco product taxation. The agreement has not yet been finalized solely due to a veto from Malta.
At the Brussels meeting of EU finance ministers (Ecofin), twenty-six member states lined up behind the draft directive on the taxation of tobacco products (TED). The proposal would introduce the first-ever mandatory EU-wide excise duty on e-liquids, covering both nicotine and nicotine-free products. Approval requires a unanimous decision, but Malta remains the only member state maintaining its veto.
According to the compromise draft, starting from 2032, member states would be required to impose a minimum 30 percent excise tax or a minimum duty of €0.36 per milliliter on e-liquids, following two transitional stages beginning on July 1, 2028. Member states would be able to decide on the form of taxation, which would lead to significant price increases: the price of a 50 ml product would rise between 56 and 109 percent depending on the chosen mechanism, while the price of nicotine boosters could increase by up to 432 percent in the case of the per-milliliter rate.
Malta officially considers the proposed increases disproportionate and also opposes mechanisms that generate direct EU funds. However, since all other previously opposing countries have reached a compromise, analysts suggest that the island nation is under enormous political pressure and is expected to withdraw its blockade in exchange for unique concessions.
In brief
- 26 out of 27 member states approved the EU tax reform for tobacco products and e-liquids
- The planned minimum tax rate from 2032 would be 30% or €0.36/ml
- The draft covers both nicotine-containing and nicotine-free e-liquids as well as flavorings
- Only Malta raised a veto, citing the scale of the tax increases
Source: VapingPost FR (fr.vapingpost.com)
This summary was created by artificial intelligence based on the original article.
