To the European Union with excise duties at the EU level

[roselin@#9201]

“Two things in life are certain: death and taxes; [but you can] use one to postpone the other.” - Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank (since 2019), Managing Director of the IMF (2011-2019).

In EU countries, the average tobacco tax is 177 euros per 1000 pieces , accordingly, the European Commission is preparing to raise the minimum excise rate to the average European level. Therefore, Ukraine, which has already started negotiations special database on joining the European Union, should not delay the implementation of European integration obligations. In view of this, it is advisable to accelerate the achievement of 90 euros by 2026 evenly for cigarettes, cigarillos and TWEN.

In this case, the State Budget of Ukraine for 2025-2028 will receive 742 million euros (32 billion UAH) more compared to the model of draft law No. 11090, which provides for achieving the minimum excise duty on cigarettes and cigarillos in 2028 and creates a 20% excise preference for tobacco products for heating.

After the adoption of Bill No. 11090 by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, it was again sent to the Committee on Finance, Tax and Customs Policy, which should carry out key work on preparing decisions that will be adopted by the Parliament. I hope that parliamentarians will adopt decisions that will postpone premature death, not excise taxes on tobacco products.