EU Countries Hold ‘Serious Concerns’ About Tobacco Tax Bill

A draft status report of the EU’s various tax bills said several countries have “serious concerns” about a tobacco excise bill that would more than double the minimum rate on cigarettes across the bloc.

Countries have issues with the size of the proposed increases, inadequate transition periods, and the mechanisms proposed to adjust those rates periodically, according to the draft dated Nov. 25 seen by Bloomberg.

The language of the draft, which is still subject to change, will be agreed by EU finance ministers when they meet on Dec. 12.

The issues highlighted in the bill indicate the ...