{"id":6305,"date":"2025-06-17T02:42:09","date_gmt":"2025-06-17T06:42:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldvapersalliance.com\/?p=6305"},"modified":"2025-06-17T02:42:22","modified_gmt":"2025-06-17T06:42:22","slug":"croatian-government-proposes-harmful-e-liquid-tax-and-shuts-down-public-debate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldvapersalliance.com\/en_gb\/croatian-government-proposes-harmful-e-liquid-tax-and-shuts-down-public-debate\/","title":{"rendered":"Croatian Government Proposes Harmful E-Liquid Tax and Shuts Down Public Deb …"},"content":{"rendered":"

Zagreb, 16 June 2025 \u2013 The Croatian government has proposed a punitive excise tax<\/a> of \u20ac0.20 per millilitre on e-liquids, a measure that would dramatically increase prices for consumers who use vaping as a safer alternative to smoking. Even more concerning is the extremely short public consultation window\u2014only seven days\u2014severely limiting the ability of consumers, health experts, and advocacy organisations to respond.<\/p>\n

The World Vapers\u2019 Alliance (WVA) and the Croatian vapers association CHROM have condemned both the substance of the tax proposal and the rushed process that undermines democratic participation.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis tax will push prices up, discourage smokers from switching to vaping, and ultimately cost lives,\u201d<\/em><\/strong> said Alberto G\u00f3mez Hern\u00e1ndez, Policy Manager at the World Vapers\u2019 Alliance. \u201cThe government is not only moving in the wrong direction by treating vapers as a cash cow and prioritizing tax revenue over public health, but also denying citizens a fair opportunity to speak out.<\/em><\/strong> A seven-day consultation is unacceptable\u2014it restricts proper engagement and makes a mockery of the democratic process,\u201d <\/em>G\u00f3mez Hern\u00e1ndez added.<\/p>\n

Numerous international studies have shown that vaping is significantly less harmful than smoking and that appropriate regulation, including taxation, should reflect this reduced risk. An excise tax of \u20ac0.20\/ml would more than double the cost of many e-liquids, making it harder for smokers to afford switching and easier for the black market to thrive.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cInstead of supporting consumers who are trying to quit smoking, the government is punishing them,\u201d<\/em><\/strong> said Filip Tokic, President of CHROM. \u201cCroatia should be following countries like the UK or Sweden, which have embraced harm reduction. Imposing such a high tax, and doing so without proper consultation, sends the message that the government doesn\u2019t care about evidence or the voices of Croatian citizens.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

The World Vapers\u2019 Alliance and CHROM are calling on the Croatian government to:<\/p>\n