Discussions among EU finance ministers ended without an agreement on raising minimum taxes on tobacco products, as unanimity is required and Malta opposed the proposal.
The European Commission’s initial proposal called for a 138.9% increase in the minimum excise duty on cigarettes. However, the rates in the latest draft have not been made public, according to Efimerida ton Syntakton.
The agreement sought by the Irish presidency would also cover e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products and nicotine pouches.
Meanwhile, increases in the minimum excise duty could push the price of a pack of cigarettes in Greece to €6.50.
Malta’s finance minister said that tax policy remains the responsibility of member states and that the proposed EU rates are considerably higher than those currently applied in Malta.
The proposed increases in minimum excise duty could push the price of a pack of cigarettes in Greece to €6.50, while prices in other European countries could reach €13.
Sweden was the first country to raise objections, while Italy and Hungary have also expressed serious reservations. In an effort to secure agreement among member states, the Irish presidency has proposed extending the deadline for full compliance to 2036 for countries including Greece.
Source: Efimerida ton Syntakton, News 24/7
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