6 November, 2025
In support of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, which aims to create a tobacco-free generation by 2040, the European Respiratory Society (ERS) and the European Lung Foundation (ELF) have outlined five ways to strengthen tobacco taxation.
The recommendations follow a recent statement endorsing a strong Tobacco Taxation Directive (TTD), an EU Directive that sets shared rules for taxing tobacco and nicotine products. Taxation is widely recognised as one of the most effective and cost-efficient measures to reduce tobacco use, prevent youth initiation, and promote health equity.
As part of the European Commission’s public-feedback stage, ERS and ELF provided feedback to help close existing gaps and better align taxation policy with public-health goals.
To protect lung health, reduce inequalities, and deliver on the EU’s goal of a tobacco-free generation, ERS and ELF recommend that the revised TTD should:
- Set robust EU-wide minimum excise levels for all tobacco and novel nicotine products, high enough to deter youth initiation and reduce overall consumption.
- Introduce automatic annual indexation to inflation and income growth, ensuring that real prices rise over time and the health impact of taxation is not eroded.
- Apply new minima promptly after adoption to achieve early and measurable public-health gains.
- Add a targeted excise uplift on disposable vapes and cigarette filters to reflect their youth appeal, environmental externalities, and waste-management costs, consistent with the European Green Deal and the Zero Pollution Action Plan.
- Embed FCTC Article 5.3 transparency provisions across all implementing acts and stakeholder processes to safeguard EU and national fiscal policymaking from industry interference.
Speaking about the importance of robust taxation, Dr Filippos Filippidis (ERS Tobacco Control Committee Chair) said, “Effective taxation is central to tobacco-control policy. The current system allows significant disparities between Member States and products. The tobacco industry has developed many strategies to exploit gaps in legislation; with new products, cross-border trade, and marketing aimed at youth initiation.
“Closing those loopholes and making these products less affordable can protect public health, prevent youth uptake, and strengthen public finances at the same time.”
Click here to read the ERS and ELF: Adoption Feedback on the Revision of the Tobacco Taxation Directive.
Tobacco use kills around 1.1 million people every year in the WHO European Region and remains the leading cause of preventable lung disease, cancer, and premature death. Learn more about ERS advocacy activities related to tobacco control.
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