14 July 2025
To meet its commitments towards a tobacco-free generation by 2040, the European Commission must raise taxes on all tobacco and nicotine products without delay, the Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL) urges Wopke Hoekstra, the European Commissioner in charge of taxation.
A draft version of the impact assessment of the Tobacco Taxation Directive revision reveals that the European Commission is considering substantial tax hikes on all tobacco products, including novel and emerging products like vapes and heated tobacco products [1]. In an open letter to Commissioner Hoekstra, ECL welcomes this approach as a bold and necessary step towards the realisation of a tobacco-free generation by 2040, a flagship objective of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan.
“Tobacco taxation is one of the most powerful tools the EU has in the fight against cancer. Raising prices through higher taxes significantly reduces smoking rates and discourages young people from taking up the habit in the first place. We urge the European Commission to stand firm against tobacco industry pressure and move forward without delay on an ambitious revision of the EU Tobacco Tax Directive,” says Wolfgang Fecke, Executive Director of the Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL).
In March, health ministers from 12 EU member states called for the European Commission to take the necessary steps in order to update the Tobacco Taxation Directive, among other key anti-tobacco initiatives. The Directive has not been updated since 2011, despite the growing popularity of novel and emerging nicotine and tobacco products, such as e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products and nicotine pouches, across the European market.
Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable cancer in the EU, responsible for 27% of all cancer cases. Research shows that price increases are among the most effective strategies to reduce tobacco consumption. A 2024 study estimated that raising excise taxes enough to generate a one-time increase in prices by 50% would lead 102 million people globally to quit smoking.
However, as recently highlighted by the World Health Organization (WHO), cigarettes have become more affordable in over half of EU countries since 2014, undermining efforts to curb smoking.
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For further information, please contact Ivonne Leenen, Communications Officer at the Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL): ivonne@cancer.eu
The Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL) is a non-profit umbrella organisation made up of 34 national and regional cancer societies advocating for improved cancer control and care across Europe. Transparency registry number: 19265592757-25