| Author (Corporate) | European Commission: Press and Communication Service |
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| Series Title | Press Release |
| Series Details | IP/01/368 (15.3.01) |
| Publication Date | 15/03/2001 |
| Content Type | News |
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The European Commission has proposed a Directive introducing significant revisions to the rates and structure of excise duties on manufactured tobacco. For cigarettes, the Commission proposes a minimum fixed amount of excise duty of €70 per 1000 cigarettes in the most popular price category, in addition to the existing minimum excise requirement of 57% of the retail price (inclusive of all taxes) for the category most in demand, so as to ensure greater approximation of tax levels between Member States. The Commission proposal also provides for taxation similar to that of cigarettes for competing tobacco products such as fine-cut tobacco, so as to reflect increasing health concerns. The Commission proposal provides for increases in the minimum amounts of tax on cigars, cigarillos and smoking tobacco to adjust for inflation. The Commission has made these proposals in the light of a study of tobacco taxation that shows how present differences in excise rates for tobacco products between Member States disrupt the smooth functioning of the Internal Market. The changes are also necessary to achieve the wider objectives of the Treaty, including health protection, as well as to protect Member States' tax revenues. |
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| Source Link | Link to Main Source http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/01/368&format=HTML&rapid=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en |
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| Subject Categories | Health, Taxation |
| Countries / Regions | Europe |
