Following the European Commission’s indefinite delay of the revision of the EU Tobacco Tax Directive (TTD), a new piece of research unveils the cost of delay across the EU. In addition to jeopardising the Europe Beating Cancer Plan’s goal of a Tobacco-Free Generation, the estimated costs of continued inaction are sobering. 

Professor Ángel López-Nicolás, from the Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, together with Dr. Rob Branston from the University of Bath and Dr. Hana Ross from the University of Cape Town, issued an analysis of the potential impacts of a revised Tobacco Taxation Directive (TTD) based on the unofficial draft of a Commission proposal which circulated at the end of 2022. 

The proposed revision of the Tobacco Taxation Directive (TTD) could increase revenue for Member States, tackle cross border shopping and reduce demand for cigarettes and roll-your- own. If not tabled by the end of 2024, the TTD’s continued delay could cost the EU €23.92 billion in lost revenue that is urgently needed for meeting public spending needs, not least on health. The delay also means more than half a million lives could be lost from 2025 to 2028. 

Download the full press release below: