Joint Public Statement: Health Community Urges EU Finance Ministers to Back a Strong Tobacco Taxation Directive

Ahead of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) meeting on 10 October, the European Heart Network (EHN) has joined leading public health organisations in a joint public statement urging EU Finance Ministers to support a strong Tobacco Taxation Directive (TTD) that protects the health of all Europeans.

The health community calls on Member States to:

• Raise EU-wide minimum excise rates to reduce affordability and drive down tobacco and nicotine use, particularly among young people
• Extend the Directive’s scope to all nicotine products — including e-cigarettes, heated tobacco, and nicotine pouches
• Keep transition periods short to ensure timely public health impact
• Adopt regular updates to maintain the Directive’s effectiveness over time

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), tobacco taxation is the most cost-effective measure to reduce tobacco and nicotine use. Higher prices discourage smoking, especially among young people and low-income groups, while generating revenues that can be reinvested in prevention and other public health initiatives.

The joint statement, signed by the European Heart Network alongside the European Cancer Organisation, Smoke Free Partnership, European Network for Smoking and Tobacco Prevention, Impact Unfiltered, European Society of Cardiology, European Respiratory Society, and the Association of European Cancer Leagues, underscores the need for decisive action to advance the EU’s disease prevention and health promotion goals.