A broad range of European and national public health and civil society organisations have issued a joint letter to the Cypriot Presidency of the Council regarding the ongoing revision of the EU Tobacco Taxation Directive.

The letter, signed by organisations including the Smoke Free Partnership (SFP) coalition, the European Cancer Organisation (ECO), the European Respiratory Society (ERS), the Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL), the European Network for Smoking and Tobacco Prevention (ENSP), European Heart Network (EHN), United European Gastroenterology (UEG), International Diabetes Federation Europe (IDF) and the Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME), expresses serious concern that ongoing Council discussions risk significantly weakening one of the European Union’s most effective public health instruments.

The signatories warn that proposed reductions to minimum tax rates, weakened indexation mechanisms, and extended transition periods collectively undermine the Directive’s capacity to reduce tobacco and nicotine consumption, particularly among young people.

You can read the full letter, as well as the press release below.