The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies (wiiw) has just published three new HEPA policy notes setting out what the data actually shows on EU tobacco taxation.
Among key findings:
- Cigarettes have become MORE affordable in most EU countries. Taxes have not kept pace with rising inflation and incomes.
- EU tobacco tax revenues have been falling in real terms, down 8.6% since 2014, despite an 11% nominal rise. Inflation is silently eroding the policy.
- Revenue decline is not inevitable. Poland's experience shows that bold, sustained tax increases protect government revenues while reducing consumption.
- Across the EU, there is no systematic link between higher excise duties and growth in the illicit cigarette market.
You can read more at: [http://bit.ly/4aOsfuR]
The Smoke Free Partnership publishes a set of 19 infographics presenting the anticipated impacts of this revised directive on price, government revenue and lives saved across EU Member States.
What the New Infographics Show
- With relatively small TTD-induced price increases 550,000 premature deaths can be prevented.
- Blocking the TTD revision is costing Member States €25.7 billion in lost revenue.
- While young people are rapidly getting addicted to nicotine through new tobacco products, taxation of these products lags.
Methodology
The infographics are based on modelling by Prof. Dr. Ángel López Nicolás (Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena) and work by Dr. Zaineb Sheikh (University of Bath).
To ensure comparability across Member States, the EU-level estimates presented in the SFP infographics were generated using a single harmonised model and a consistent data source. By contrast, analyses produced by national think tanks draw on country-specific models and local datasets, allowing for greater contextual detail in national policy discussions.
How Advocates Can Use These Infographics
We strongly encourage EU tobacco control advocates to use these infographics in their advocacy work by:
- Attaching the relevant country and EU-wide infographic to your next letter to national policymakers
- Sharing these infographics on your social media channels
- Using the data from these infographics in your interactions with national media
Get in Touch
In case you have any questions regarding these infographics, or would like to collaborate with SFP in reaching out to national governments, parliamentarians or media about these data, do not hesitate to contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
We are please to share a short document highlighting the global and Euro Region trends, alongside the 10 key recommendations taken from the Europe Tobacco Industry Interference Index 2025 Report.
The 2024 edition of the infographic on the presence of the tobacco industry in the EU policy-making environment, based on 2023 data, has been released!
In December 2024, the Council officially adopted its Recommendation on Smoke and Aerosol-Free Environments, marking a significant victory for public health across the EU. This initiative expands protections by covering heated tobacco products, e-cigarettes (both nicotine and nicotine-free), and tobacco surrogates, ensuring stronger safeguards for everyone.
Key highlights:
- Broader Scope: new and emerging tobacco products are included.
- Expanding Smoke & Aerosol-Free Zones: protection now extends to public playgrounds, amusement parks, healthcare & education premises, beaches, outdoor restaurant spaces, and transport hubs.
- Tobacco’s Toll: smoking remains a leading cause of preventable disease, affecting millions across the EU, this recommendation is a crucial step in tackling the issue.
We have created an infographic summarising these key provisions and statistics. Also available in multiple languages (CS, DE, EL, ES, HU, IT, MT, PL, PT).
SFP infographic, based on data from the Eurobarometer 2024, highlights the urgent need to update tobacco control directives. While previous revisions to EU Tobacco Products and Tax Directives have reduced smoking prevalence, progress has slowed in recent years. New and emerging tobacco products, particularly among youth, underscore the necessity for comprehensive regulatory updates
The 2023 edition of the Infographic on the Declared Tobacco Industry Presence in the EU Policy-Making Environment is out!
Brussels, 21 December:The 2022 edition of SFP Infographic on the Ddeclared Tobacco Industry Presence in the EU Policy-Making Environment is out.
Brussels, 16 December: the latest 2021 edition, of the SFP infographic on tobacco industry presence in the EU policy-making environment is out.
Brussels, 17 December: the latest, 2020 edition, of the SFP infographic on tobacco industry presence in the EU policy-making environment is out.
Brussels, 17 December: the latest, 2019 edition, of the SFP infographic on tobacco industry presence in the EU policy-making environment is out.
Brussels, 17 December: The latest SFP infographic on tobacco industry presence in the EU policy-making environment is out.