Morocco Rejects Vape Tax Hike Over Smuggling Concerns
The Moroccan government has officially rejected proposals to increase the domestic consumption tax on electronic cigarettes for the 2026 budget. Budget Minister Fouzi Lekjaa announced the decision, arguing that a further tax hike would be counterproductive. He stated that while the government supports the fight against smoking, another tax increase would primarily fuel the illicit market and destabilize the legal sector rather than reduce consumer demand.
Lekjaa warned lawmakers that “going further would open the door to trafficking,” emphasizing that duties had already been raised in the previous year. In response, opposition members strongly advocated for a health-first approach. They highlighted the rapid rise of vaping among students and noted that many cheap e-cigarette models sold in Morocco are already banned in several European countries. The opposition maintains that higher taxes are a necessary tool to protect public health. This debate showcases a clear conflict between the government’s fiscal strategy to prevent smuggling and the opposition’s call for dissuasive taxation to address health concerns.
- Read more: Morocco Considers Major Tax Hike on Vaping Products
- News source: Lekjaa opposes the tax increase on electronic cigarettes to prevent smuggling.
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