Key facts
- The European Commission is proposing revisions to tobacco laws.
- The proposed tobacco revisions include tax increases on cigarettes.
- New excise taxes on vapes and heated tobacco are being considered.
- The goal of the tobacco revisions is to curb rising consumption, especially among young people.
- The Council of the EU will make the final decision on tobacco law revisions.
- The European Commission is revising the EU's Emissions Trading System (ETS).
- The ETS is a cap-and-trade program for reducing industrial greenhouse gas emissions.
- The ETS overhaul aims to balance climate ambition with industrial competitiveness and energy affordability.
- The ETS revision has sparked debate among member states and industries.
The European Commission is advancing proposals to revise two significant policy frameworks: tobacco consumption regulations and the EU's Emissions Trading System (ETS). In the realm of public health, the Commission is considering stricter tobacco laws aimed at curbing rising consumption, particularly among young people. These proposed revisions include substantial tax increases on traditional cigarettes and the introduction of new excise taxes specifically targeting vapes and heated tobacco products. The ultimate authority to enact these changes lies with the Council of the EU.
Concurrently, the European Commission is undertaking a revision of the EU's Emissions Trading System (ETS). This cap-and-trade program is a cornerstone of the EU's strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from heavy industries. The proposed overhaul seeks to strike a delicate balance between maintaining ambitious climate targets and ensuring the competitiveness of European industries, alongside addressing concerns about energy affordability. This dual objective has already generated considerable debate among EU member states and various industrial sectors.