{"id":11761,"date":"2025-07-19T00:09:02","date_gmt":"2025-07-18T22:09:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mylasertabac.com\/%f0%9f%92%a8-e-cigarettes-eu-prepares-tax-on-liquids-a-disguised-return-to-tobacco\/"},"modified":"2025-07-20T01:24:06","modified_gmt":"2025-07-19T23:24:06","slug":"%f0%9f%92%a8-e-cigarettes-eu-prepares-tax-on-liquids-a-disguised-return-to-tobacco","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mylasertabac.com\/en\/%f0%9f%92%a8-e-cigarettes-eu-prepares-tax-on-liquids-a-disguised-return-to-tobacco\/","title":{"rendered":"\ud83d\udca8 E-cigarettes: EU prepares tax on liquids… a disguised return to tobacco?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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A measure that makes vapers cough… and professionals too<\/h2>\n\n
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If you use an electronic cigarette to stay away from tobacco, a decision by the European Union could call everything into question. Brussels is considering introducing a tax on vaping liquids<\/strong>, whether or not they contain nicotine. Officially, this measure is intended to harmonize taxation across the EU<\/strong>, but for many players in the sector, it hides another reality: pushing ex-smokers back towards traditional tobacco<\/strong>, which is heavily taxed. <\/p>\n\n

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\ud83e\uddfe A standardized European tax: what exactly are we talking about?<\/h2>\n\n

The European Commission wants to introduce a minimum tax of \u20ac0.10 per ml for nicotine-containing liquids<\/strong> and \u20ac0.03 per ml for nicotine-free liquids<\/strong>. For the average consumer, this could represent a significant increase in the price of bottles<\/strong>, sometimes up to 25% more<\/strong> on certain products. <\/p>\n\n

But this tax does not come out of nowhere: several countries such as Germany, Italy, Estonia and Finland<\/strong>already impose<\/strong>similar taxes. Brussels’ stated aim is simple: to put an end to price differentials between member states. On the surface, it’s a tax harmonization measure. In reality, it’ s a bomb for consumers and small retailers<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n

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\ud83d\udeac Vapoter or smoker: a health or tax choice?<\/h2>\n\n
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Numerous studies have shown that electronic cigarettes are far less harmful than traditional cigarettes<\/strong>. It contains no tar, carbon monoxide or the thousands of carcinogenic substances generated by tobacco combustion. <\/p>\n\n

And yet… by wanting to tax vaping liquids at the same level as tobacco products<\/strong>, the EU is blurring the lines between a withdrawal product and a lethal product.<\/p>\n\n

\u27a1\ufe0f For industry professionals, it’s clear:<\/p>\n\n

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“They want people to go back to tobacco, where the state gets 80% back in taxes.”<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

This cry of alarm does not come from a lobby, but from distributors, retailers and former smokers<\/strong>, all convinced that this decision would be counter-productive for public health<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n

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\ud83c\udfea Vaping professionals on the front line<\/h2>\n\n
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In specialist stores, the anxiety is palpable. Vaping is a young, fragile market, often driven by independent entrepreneurs. A price hike could kill e-cigarettes’ appeal<\/strong>, despite the fact that they are one of the most effective ways to quit smoking. <\/p>\n\n

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\ud83d\udc64 Trader’s testimony:<\/p>\n\n

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“By dint of taxing liquids, we’re going to end up with people going back to the local tobacconist to buy their pack of cigarettes. And the Social Security system will pick up the tab.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

The message is clear: taxation must not undermine public health.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

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\ud83d\udd0d Inconsistent logic for ex-smokers<\/h2>\n\n
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Imagine the situation: you quit smoking two years ago. You’ve traded in your Marlboros for a 5-euro bottle of e-liquid. And tomorrow, because of this tax, you have to pay 2 or 3 euros more<\/strong> for the same product. <\/p>\n\n

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The result?<\/p>\n\n