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Polish lawmakers endorse plan to hike tobacco taxes

18.10.2024 15:00
Polish lawmakers have backed a government plan to increase excise taxes on tobacco products and electronic smoking devices over the next three years.
The lower house of Polands parliament, the Sejm, in session on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
The lower house of Poland's parliament, the Sejm, in session on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.Photo: PAP/Tomasz Gzell

The measure passed in a 236-188 vote with two abstentions in the lower house of parliament late on Friday, public broadcaster Polish Radio’s IAR news agency reported.

The legislation now goes to the Senate, the upper house of Poland's parliament, for further debate.

The moveinitiated by the Polish government in late July, is part of a broader push aimed at curbing smoking rates across the nation.

Under the bill, excise tax on cigarettes will see a phased increase: 25 percent in 2025, followed by 20 percent in 2026, and 15 percent in 2027, according to an announcement by the Polish Prime Minister's Office.

The tax hikes will also apply to loose tobacco, with increases of 38 percent in 2025, 30 percent in 2026, and 22 percent in 2027.

A similar pattern will be followed for cigars and cigarillos, with excise taxes rising by 25 percent next year, 20 percent in 2026, and 15 percent in 2027.

Dry tobacco products are slated for the same rate increases as loose tobacco.

If approved by both houses of parliament and signed into law by the president, the new rules will also extend to vaping products.

The excise tax on e-cigarette liquids will rise sharply, by 75 percent in 2025, followed by 50 percent in 2026 and 25 percent in 2027.

Innovative tobacco products will also face steeper taxes, with a 50-percent increase in 2025, 20 percent in 2026, and 15 percent in 2027.

(gs)

Source: IAR, PAP