EU Health Commissioner Vows to Hike Vape Taxes to Cigarette Levels
European Health Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi has declared the EU’s intention to eventually raise taxes on vapes to the “exact same level” as classic tobacco products. Speaking at the European Health Forum Gastein in Austria, Várhelyi stated that Europe is already witnessing the public health impact of vaping, despite it not always being presented as a danger to the public.
He pointed to the European Commission’s proposed tax hikes on cigarettes and vapes, presented in July, as a “strong signal” of the EU’s policy direction. The current proposal aims to raise tobacco taxes across the board and, for the first time, set minimum EU-wide taxes on vapes and nicotine pouches. The proposed tax on cigarettes would be at least 63% of the average retail price, while the initial tax on vapes would range from 20% to 40%.
Várhelyi highlighted the urgency by citing alarming youth vaping rates, noting that in the Czech Republic, over 25% of young people vape – a figure higher than the average rate of daily smoking among EU adults (18.4% in 2019). “The health impact is already there,” he asserted.
While Várhelyi did not provide a specific timeline for when vape taxes would fully match those on cigarettes, he indicated a clear long-term goal. He added that it’s “very important to have confirmation from the lung experts that we’re doing the right thing” as the EU moves forward with its cardiovascular health plan and broader tobacco control strategies.
- South Korea Escalates Tobacco Warnings with Blunt, Fatalistic Labels - June 22, 2026
- Magnolia Commissioner Proposes Ordinance to Ban Vape Shops - June 22, 2026
- Belarus Moves to Ban Vape and E-Cigarette Advertising Under New Bill - June 22, 2026
