Sixteen European Union countries, led by the Netherlands, asked the European Commission on Monday to propose a new tax law on tobacco products to include new products such as electronic cigarettes (vapes). These products are currently not covered by the existing legislation, reports "Reuters", quoted by News.bg.
The initiative is supported by Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Slovakia, Spain, Belgium, Ireland, Slovenia and Portugal.
In a letter to the Commission, the finance ministers of these countries emphasize that an update of the 2011 Tobacco Tax Directive. is imperative, as the lack of common rules for e-cigarettes leads to differences in legislation and excise duty levels in individual countries, which distorts the single market.
"Based on this directive, most of these products cannot be taxed as traditional tobacco products. The provisions are insufficient or too limited to meet the challenges faced by Member States with a view to the continued development of the tobacco industry," said the letter quoted by "Reuters".
The lack of uniform rules has led to "fragmentation, inequality and distortion of the internal market", the ministers emphasize.
The European Commission has already introduced some standards for e-cigarettes, including nicotine content limits and labeling requirements. However, rules vary widely between countries.
In France, the sale of vapes to persons under the age of 18 is prohibited and their use is restricted in certain public places.
In Italy, the ban on the use of e-cigarettes in public places was lifted in 2013, but their use around schools remains prohibited.
Disposable vapes have attracted particular attention due to environmental and health concerns. France is planning a total ban on these devices, and the German Federal Council has called on the government to support a similar measure at EU level.
Finance ministers are urging the European Commission to take urgent action and propose an update to the directive, which has already been delayed for more than a year. They expect the new composition of the Commission, which took office on December 1, to give priority to this issue.