Brussels, 28.11.2022. Consumers are voicing their concerns about the EU Commissions’ leaked plan to increase taxation on vaping products and fear negative consequences for public health. This comes from a Financial Times article stating that the EU Commission plans to “bring the taxation of novel smoking products, such as vapes and heated tobacco, into line with cigarettes”.

Higher taxation on vaping products will have catastrophic effects for those looking to quit and will unleash a massive new black market for vaping products, said Michael Landl, Director of the World Vapers’ Alliance.

“The Commission claims that higher taxes will improve public health, but the reality is the exact opposite. A less harmful alternative, such as vaping, must be affordable for ordinary smokers trying to quit cigarettes. If the Commission wants to reduce the burden of smoking on public health, they must make vaping more affordable and accessible, not less”.

Divergent taxation of smoking and vaping products is essential for many people to switch. In addition, high taxes on vaping products are particularly harmful to those of modest means by making it harder to switch, while this group makes up the largest proportion of current smokers.

“Hohe Steuern treffen die Ärmsten am härtesten. In Zeiten vielfältiger Krisen, in denen viele Menschen ums Überleben kämpfen, ist eine Verteuerung des Dampfens genau das Gegenteil von dem, was wir brauchen. Die Politik muss verstehen, dass Steuererhöhungen auf E-Zigaretten die Menschen zurück zum Rauchen oder auf den Schwarzmarkt treiben – ein Szenario, das niemand will. Gerade in Krisenzeiten sollten die Menschen nicht durch einen unwissenschaftlichen und ideologisch motivierten Kampf gegen das Dampfen zusätzlich bestraft werden. Das muss aufhören”, sagte Landl.

The World Vapers’ Alliance urges the EU Commission and Member States to follow the scientific evidence and abstain from higher taxation of vaping products if we want to reduce smoking-induced burdens on public health. Access and affordability to vaping products must be guaranteed.

“Rather than fighting vaping, the EU finally must embrace tobacco harm reduction. What we need is risk-based regulation. Vaping is 95% less harmful than smoking and, therefore, must not be treated the same way as conventional smoking,” added Landl