Smokers in Greece are facing the prospect of drastically higher prices, with the cost of a pack of cigarettes projected to increase by 50%.
The cost of a pack of cigarettes is projected to jump from the current average of around €4.60 (around $5.30) to approximately €7.00 ($8)—an increase of over 50 percent.
This potential hike is a direct consequence of a massive tax reform proposed by the European Commission, which aims to bring in substantial tax revenue while aligning taxation with public health goals across the bloc.
The initiative involves the revision of the Tobacco Taxation Directive (TTD) and the introduction of a new European levy (TEDOR), seeking to modernize the EU’s tobacco tax framework, which hasn’t been significantly updated since 2011.
The core of the Commission’s proposal centers on significantly raising the minimum excise duties on nearly all tobacco and nicotine products.
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Author's summary: Smokers in Greece face a 50% price hike.