Government Plans Steep Tobacco Tax Hike, Cigarette Pack to Cost Nearly €12 by 2030

July 13, 2026
Government Plans Steep Tobacco Tax Hike, Cigarette Pack to Cost Nearly €12 by 2030
  • The information comes from RND newspapers citing a formulation aid from the Federal Ministry of Finance, indicating sources within the ministry.

  • Tax share on a pack is set to increase from roughly 4 euros to 6.19 euros by 2030, about 40 cents more than a prior cabinet decision.

  • The reform envisions steeper increases for both manufactured cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco, with average pack prices projected to reach 9.10 euros in 2027, 9.91 euros in 2028, 10.81 euros in 2029, and 11.78 euros in 2030.

  • Announcements reference a draft formulation from the Finance Ministry, reported by RND based on media sources.

  • The briefing runs about 36 seconds, timestamped at 06:15, indicating a concise news clip.

  • The report frames the policy shift as part of broader tax policy discussions, with the 2030 target as a key milestone but few other specifics provided.

  • The tobacco tax reform is presented as part of broader fiscal and health policy considerations within the current government coalition.

  • The increases are part of a government strategy for budget consolidation and public health, aligned with lower smoking rates among youth and adults.

  • The larger-than-expected hike is driven by health-protection aims and an undersized reduction in subsidies to statutory health insurance, creating a budget shortfall.

  • Officials emphasize that the reform aims to protect public health and reduce youth and adult smoking, though an expert commission initially proposed a larger increase.

  • The governing coalition plans to raise tobacco taxes more sharply, targeting a rise in the price of a pack of cigarettes from about eight euros to nearly twelve euros by 2030 as part of a broader reform.

  • Officials say the move helps address a federal budget gap while also supporting health goals by reducing smoking across age groups.

Summary based on 5 sources


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