The European Commission is planning to require massive tax hikes on vapes, pouches and heated tobacco products like iQOS, according to a leaked impact assessment seen by Clearing the Air.

Under the planned measures, which Clearing the Air understands is to be announced before the EU’s summer break in August, the price of a 10ml bottle of e-liquid would increase by at least €3,60 over four years. This would be halved for lower strength liquids, penalising the heaviest smokers trying to quit.

The Commission claims it’s all about health: 700,000 tobacco deaths a year, a “Tobacco-Free Generation” goal, and cancer prevention.

But behind the smoke screen of public health, officials admit the new taxes would bring in billions in fresh revenue — while also hitting small vape shops, cross-border shoppers, and Europe’s poorest smokers hardest.

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