The revision of the T obacco T axation Directive (2011\/64\/EU) presents a decisive moment for the future of harm reduction in Europe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While we support the Commission\u2019s goal of reducing smoking rates and promoting public health, expanding the scope of this Directive to include smoke-free, tobacco-free products such as nicotine pouches would be a grave mistake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taxation should reflect risk, not nicotine content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nicotine pouches are non-combustible, tobacco-free, and carry 99.9% lower health risks than cigarettes. Penalizing these products with tobacco-style excise duties would:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25cf Make quitting more expensive, discouraging smokers from switching;<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25cf Create economic incentives for illicit markets; and<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25cf Undermine the EU\u2019s own Beating Cancer Plan and harm reduction commitments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Swedish experience shows that rational taxation and availability of oral nicotine products lead to record-low smoking rates, 5.6%, the lowest in the EU and 44% fewer tobacco-related deaths than the European average.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Europe should follow that model, not tax it out of existence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n