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Tag: Tobacco Excise Directive

  • 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.