The European Union is preparing to apply taxes similar to those for tobacco and vaping products. European Health Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi announced last week at a conference in Austria the intention to increase excise duties on electronic cigarettes.
Simultaneously, Tax Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra told Politico in Brussels that the industry is „manipulating children” to make them dependent on vaping.
"It's the tobacco industry's revenge," he said. "They have a deliberate strategy to target 11, 12, 13-year-olds with colorful flavors that resemble candy."
"I've seen this at my own table"
Hoekstra recounted that his own children told him that e-cigarettes "smell like strawberries," asking if they are dangerous. "No, in fact, they are killers," the European official said.
The industry rejects the accusations, stating that there are no deaths directly caused by legal products.
Excise duties increased by over 100% and extended to vaping
In July, Hoekstra presented a plan that involves raising excise duties by 139% on traditional cigarettes and by 258% on rolling tobacco, extending them to new products, including electronic cigarettes.
The industry reacted strongly: in September, Philip Morris International warned that the increases would jeopardize thousands of jobs in Europe.
Hoekstra dismissed the argument as "false." "It's not like those jobs would disappear. Health costs are in the billions of euros," the commissioner said.
Debate: smoking cessation method or risk for children?
Some governments consider vaping a less harmful alternative for smokers who want to quit cigarettes. However, the WHO recommends strict regulations - banning flavors, limiting nicotine concentration, and imposing discouraging taxes.
In the European Parliament, the "risk reduction" camp has strong support, especially from center-right groups.
"A hardcore smoker switching to e-cigarettes is doing something good for his health," said Peter Liese, a German medical doctor and MEP from the EPP, last year.
A challenging path to adoption
For the new excise regime to come into force, the unanimity of the 27 member states is required. In spring, 15 finance ministers asked the Commission to advance with the reform and include vaping. However, Portugal and Sweden have already opposed, unhappy that the additional revenues would go to the EU budget, not the national one.
Hoekstra remains optimistic: "Even the most reluctant acknowledge that vaping kills - and especially kills our children. It's a disturbing strategy by the tobacco industry and it must be stopped."
"Addiction is a disease that can kill you"
The official cited American studies on lung diseases associated with vaping: "The earlier you start, the more prone you are to addiction. And addiction is not an innocent word - it's a disease that ultimately kills you."
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also warned that young people "are recruited and trapped early in the nicotine trap."
Industry's response: "Vaping does not kill"
The World Vapers' Alliance reacted through director Michael Landl. "In general, vaping does not kill. There is no confirmed death caused by legally regulated products in Europe. Vaping products are much less harmful than smoking, as they avoid toxic substances resulting from tobacco burning. However, they are not completely risk-free - children and non-smokers should not vape," said Michael Landl.
Support from medical NGOs
Hoekstra's position received support from four major health organizations - the European Cancer League Association, the European Cancer Organization, SmokeFree Partnership, and the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).
"No product containing nicotine is safe for the cardiovascular system," said Thomas Lüscher, ESC president. "Without strict regulations, we risk an imminent cardiovascular health crisis," added cardiologist Thomas Münzel.
Lüscher urged the Commission to advance with the revision of the Tobacco Products Directive, under the health commissioner's portfolio, which could impose even stricter rules at the EU level. Hoekstra did not specify when the proposal would be launched but said Várhelyi is "addressing the issue in a holistic way."
Taxes that bring money and health benefits
The Commission estimates that the new excise duties could generate additional revenues of 11.2 billion euros annually. NGOs call for the money to be used for health programs, but Hoekstra avoids promises: "The idea is interesting, but it falls under the responsibility of another colleague. Building budgets that directly link collection to distribution is a complex process."
The former Dutch finance minister, however, says that taxing tobacco and electronic cigarettes makes economic sense: "The current level of excise duties, not updated for years, has become completely meaningless in most member states."
G.P.