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Tag: EU

  • Swedish Election Threatens EU Tobacco Tax Talks 

    Swedish Election Threatens EU Tobacco Tax Talks 

    According to a Euractiv article today (Aug. 31), EU diplomats expect limited progress on the Tobacco Excise Directive (TED) at the September 14 meeting, as Sweden’s national election the day before could leave Stockholm without a firm position while coalition negotiations take place. The proposed TED would raise tobacco taxes across the EU and is linked to plans to generate €11.2 billion annually for the bloc’s next long-term budget. The file stalled after Sweden objected to proposed taxation of nicotine pouches, with Stockholm seeking to protect its traditional snus market. 

    Prolonged talks could also complicate Ireland’s efforts to secure a Council agreement in October and potentially lead Sweden to abstain from a key vote expected at the October 9 ECOFIN meeting. According to Euractiv, Ireland expects September discussions to focus mainly on technical issues rather than resolving political differences. The next Swedish government is likely to face continued pressure over snus and nicotine taxation, while EU officials remain focused on the bloc’s longer-term ambition to become both smoke-free and nicotine-free. 

  • EU Tobacco Use Falls to 16.5% in 2025

    EU Tobacco Use Falls to 16.5% in 2025

    Daily use of tobacco and related nicotine products in the European Union declined to 16.5% of people aged 16 and older in 2025, down from 17.5% in 2022, according to new Eurostat data. Men continued to use tobacco and nicotine products at higher rates than women (20.8% versus 12.6%), while adults aged 35-49 recorded the highest daily use at 21.3%. More than three-quarters (77.5%) of EU residents reported not using tobacco or related products—including e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches and heated tobacco products—during the previous 12 months.

    Among member states, Bulgaria (26.3%), Sweden (23.9%) and Croatia (23.6%) recorded the highest rates of daily use, while the Netherlands (9.9%), Ireland (11.7%), Belgium (13.6%) and Luxembourg (13.8%) had the lowest. Daily use declined in 17 EU countries between 2022 and 2025, with the largest reductions in Spain and Luxembourg, while Croatia and Lithuania posted the biggest increases.

  • EU: Italy, Greece Oppose Irish Bill on Nicotine Products

    EU: Italy, Greece Oppose Irish Bill on Nicotine Products

    According to Generation Sans Tabac, Italy and Greece submitted detailed opinions to the European Commission under the EU’s TRIS notification procedure opposing Ireland’s proposed legislation to tighten regulation of e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches. The Irish bill would ban non-tobacco flavors, prohibit flavor-related product names, introduce plain packaging, restrict retail and online product displays, and extend these measures to nicotine pouches. Both countries argued that the proposals could create barriers to trade and conflict with the EU’s ongoing revision of the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD).

    Italy questioned the proportionality of measures such as flavor bans, plain packaging, and display restrictions, arguing that less restrictive alternatives — including stronger age verification and market surveillance — should be considered. Greece raised concerns over increased compliance costs and market fragmentation, particularly for manufacturers and exporters of nicotine products. The detailed opinions extend the standstill period for Ireland’s draft law until October 7, delaying its potential implementation while the European Commission reviews the objections.

  • ALP Plans Expansion into 11 International Markets

    ALP Plans Expansion into 11 International Markets

    ALP Pouches announced that it will launch online sales for its nicotine pouches in 11 international markets starting in July, CEO Lorenzo De Plano told Reuters. De Plano said ALP, co-owned by Tucker Carlson and Turning Point Brands, is currently the fourth- or fifth-largest nicotine pouch brand in the United States with roughly 2% market share, and plans to expand its European presence to become the second-largest brand in the European Union by 2030. The rollout will begin in Britain, Ireland, Greece, Switzerland, and Romania in July, followed by additional launches across the Czech Republic, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and Denmark later in 2026, with in-store retail expansion in the U.K. targeted for 2027.

    The company said it has secured manufacturing capacity in Lithuania for 20 million units in 2026 and 50 million units in 2027, and is also expanding supplier agreements to support production and distribution growth. ALP also entered a marketing partnership with former UFC champion Conor McGregor to support international expansion efforts.

  • PMI Urges EU to Ensure ‘Fair Treatment’ of Tobacco in Review

    PMI Urges EU to Ensure ‘Fair Treatment’ of Tobacco in Review

    Philip Morris International called on the European Union to ensure that the tobacco sector receives the same regulatory treatment as other legal industries as policymakers prepare revisions to the Tobacco Excise Directive (TED) and the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD). In a letter to Ursula von der Leyen, published by PMI’s Europe President Massimo Andolina, the company argued that current EU policies are shaped by bias against the tobacco industry and fail to recognize its economic contribution. PMI said the sector supports more than two million jobs across Europe, contributes approximately €180 billion in annual tax revenue, and maintains a significant regional manufacturing and supply chain footprint.

    The company also highlighted its investment in smoke-free products and harm-reduction innovation, arguing that forthcoming regulatory decisions will influence Europe’s ability to attract investment and maintain competitiveness in the sector. PMI called for future tobacco regulation to be guided by evidence, transparency and inclusiveness, while EU institutions continue to review potential changes to tobacco taxation and product rules across the bloc.

  • National Rally Set to Oppose EU Tobacco Tax Report

    National Rally Set to Oppose EU Tobacco Tax Report

    France’s Jordan Bardella confirmed that National Rally will vote against a European Parliament report on the revision of the EU’s Tobacco Excise Directive (TED), despite the measure being drafted by Czech MEP Tomáš Kubín from the party’s own Patriots for Europe alliance.

    According to Euractiv, the report rejects the European Commission’s proposal for higher taxes on newer nicotine products such as e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products and nicotine pouches, while supporting higher taxation of traditional cigarettes. Most members of Patriots for Europe, along with the European People’s Party and European Conservatives and Reformists, are expected to support the text, while Socialists, liberals, Greens, and the Left oppose it.

    Bardella said National Rally would vote against the report because it could lead to additional taxation in France, citing concerns about consumer purchasing power. Euractiv reported that the party’s opposition could jeopardize the narrow majority needed for Parliament to adopt an official position on the file, as National Rally controls around 30 seats in the chamber.

    If the report fails, it could strengthen the European Commission’s position in future negotiations by leaving Parliament without a formal stance on the tobacco tax overhaul. The Commission is seeking higher excise taxes on emerging nicotine products and additional revenue for the EU budget, while several member states argue reduced-risk products should be taxed less heavily than cigarettes. According to Euractiv, Bardella’s position could therefore have the unintended effect of aiding efforts to increase EU-wide taxes on vaping and other smoke-free products.

  • EPP Accused of Being Tobacco ‘Mouthpiece’ Ahead of Vote

    EPP Accused of Being Tobacco ‘Mouthpiece’ Ahead of Vote

    An article published by Euractiv today (June 16) reports that the European People’s Party (EPP), the largest group in the European Parliament, is facing criticism from public health organizations and political opponents ahead of a key vote on EU tobacco policy, with critics accusing the party of advancing positions aligned with the tobacco industry. The dispute centers on the European Commission’s ongoing review of the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD), including potential new rules for nicotine pouches, vaping products and other reduced-risk alternatives.

    According to Euractiv, health advocates argue the EPP has opposed stricter restrictions on newer nicotine products, while the EPP maintains that regulation should be evidence-based and account for harm reduction. The debate comes as the EU considers significant revisions to tobacco and nicotine regulations that could affect product availability, taxation and market access across the bloc.

  • NACS Calls for Fact-Based Approach in EU Tob. Directive Review

    NACS Calls for Fact-Based Approach in EU Tob. Directive Review

    The National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) urged European Union policymakers to conduct a comprehensive socio-economic assessment before revising the Tobacco Products Directive, warning that poorly assessed regulatory changes could increase illicit trade, reduce tax revenues, and harm small retailers. The group noted that Europe’s convenience retail sector comprises more than 684,000 outlets generating more than €250 billion in annual revenue, while an estimated 38.9 billion illicit cigarettes are consumed across the EU each year, resulting in approximately €11.6 billion in lost tax revenue.

    NACS called for greater consideration of impacts on small- and medium-sized enterprises, employment, and supply chains, and urged policymakers to fully evaluate illicit trade risks before implementing further tobacco regulation changes.

  • Bulgarian Tobacco Farmers Urge EC to Consider Rural Impact of Regs

    Bulgarian Tobacco Farmers Urge EC to Consider Rural Impact of Regs

    More than 8,300 tobacco growers in Bulgaria urged the European Commission to assess the economic and social impact of planned revisions to the EU Tobacco Products Directive, warning that new regulations should not harm rural communities or fuel illicit trade. In a video submission to the Commission’s public consultation, growers said decisions made in Brussels could have significant consequences for tobacco-dependent regions across Bulgaria and the EU.

    The appeal comes as the EU prepares a major overhaul of tobacco and nicotine product regulations, with producers calling for detailed impact assessments on farming, employment, local economies, and the wider tobacco value chain before legislative proposals are finalized later this year.

  • Netherlands Rules Out Disposable Vape, Filter Bans

    Netherlands Rules Out Disposable Vape, Filter Bans

    The Dutch cabinet ruled out introducing a national ban on disposable vapes and cigarette filters, saying legal constraints make such measures unworkable domestically and that regulation should instead be handled at the EU level in the Netherlands.

    In a letter to parliament, ministers cited research showing a filter ban could reduce microplastic pollution without increasing health risks, but argued enforcement would be weak because consumers could easily switch to imports or illicit markets. They also said a national ban on disposable vapes would conflict with EU tobacco rules, despite concerns about environmental damage and fire risks linked to waste processing incidents.

    The cabinet said it will instead push for a Europe-wide ban in Brussels and continue enforcement against illegal vape trade, while flavored vapes are already prohibited in the country.