Brussels, 9 Nov. (LaPresse) – No agreement was reached at today’s Ecofin meeting on the revision of the Tobacco Taxation Directive. “I am very pleased that we have reached a point where 26 of the 27 Member States have been able to reach an agreement. I regret that Malta is not yet in a position to give its consent, but I very much hope that, following further reflection and discussion, we can reach an agreement when we return to discuss the matter in December,” said Simon Harris, the Irish Finance Minister and current holder of the EU Presidency, at the conclusion of the Ecofin meeting, regarding the revision of the Tobacco Taxation Directive. “It is true that tax matters require unanimity, but we are talking about public health here. This,” he added, “is a public health emergency in the European Union, affecting products such as nicotine pouches, vaping devices and tobacco. We have made too much progress in our public health initiatives not to try to bring this crucial dossier to a successful conclusion. Therefore, the Irish Presidency remains fully committed to working on this dossier and engaging in constructive dialogue; both the Taoiseach and I are strongly determined and deeply committed to this matter.”
EU: No agreement reached at Ecofin on the review of tobacco taxation
Brussels, 9 Nov. (LaPresse) – No agreement was reached at today’s Ecofin meeting on the revision of the Tobacco Taxation Directive. “I am very pleased that we have reached a point where 26 of the 27 Member States have been able to reach an agreement. I regret that Malta is not yet in a position to give its consent, but I very much hope that, following further reflection and discussion, we can reach an agreement when we return to discuss the matter in December,” said Simon Harris, the Irish Finance Minister and current holder of the EU Presidency, at the conclusion of the Ecofin meeting, regarding the revision of the Tobacco Taxation Directive. “It is true that tax matters require unanimity, but we are talking about public health here. This,” he added, “is a public health emergency in the European Union, affecting products such as nicotine pouches, vaping devices and tobacco. We have made too much progress in our public health initiatives not to try to bring this crucial dossier to a successful conclusion. Therefore, the Irish Presidency remains fully committed to working on this dossier and engaging in constructive dialogue; both the Taoiseach and I are strongly determined and deeply committed to this matter.”