Global coalition of e-cigarette users EU price increase for e-cigarettes harms consumers and public health

The UKVIA recently expressed concern about the European Commission's leaked plans to tax e-cigarette products and the associated negative impact on public health. This follows an article in the Financial Times, in which it says, that the European Commission is planning, “Bring the tax rate for new tobacco products such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco to the same level as cigarettes”.

According to the Commission's draft, products with a high nicotine content would be subject to an excise tax of at least 40 % proven, while E-cigarettes with lower salary with a tax of 20 % would be occupied. Heated tobacco products should also be included 55 % be taxed. The European Commission this month also banned the sale of flavored, heated tobacco products, to curb the increasing demand for these products among young consumers.

Michael Randall, President of the World e-cigarette users Alliance (WVA), said, that higher taxes on e-cigarette products would have a catastrophic impact on them, who want to stop smoking, and would create a huge new black market for e-cigarette products.

“The European Commission claims, that higher taxes will improve public health, But the opposite is true. Less harmful alternatives like e-cigarettes are a must for the average smoker, who wants to stop, be affordable. If the Commission wants to reduce the public health burden of smoking, she has to make sure of it, that e-cigarettes are cheaper and more accessible.”

The different taxation of cigarettes- and e-cigarette products is crucial for many people, and the high taxation of e-cigarette products causes more harm to the financially disadvantaged, because it is more difficult for them, to switch from cigarettes to e-cigarettes – the group, which accounts for the largest proportion of current smokers.

“High taxes hit the most vulnerable hardest. The increase in the price of e-cigarettes is the opposite of that, what we need at a time, in which there are many crises and people are fighting for them, to make ends meet. The European Commission must understand, that increasing taxes on e-cigarettes will force people back to smoking or to the black market – a situation, that nobody wants. In times of crisis, people must not continue to be punished by the unscientific and ideological fight against e-cigarettes, that has to stop.” Randall said.

If we want to reduce the public health burden of smoking, demands the World E-Cigarette Users’ Alliance calls on the European Commission and the Member States, to follow the scientific evidence and avoid higher taxes on e-cigarette products. The accessibility and affordability of e-cigarette products must be guaranteed.

Randall added: “Instead of taking action against e-cigarettes, The EU must finally devote itself to limiting the harm caused by tobacco consumption. What we need, is risk-based regulation. E-cigarettes are closed 95 % less harmful than cigarettes, therefore they cannot be treated like traditional cigarettes”.