Noile taxe pe nicotină emise de Bruxelles ar agrava problema țigărilor din România

New nicotine taxes proposed by Brussels may worsen the illicit cigarette problem in Romania, as recent data shows a rise in counterfeit cigarettes and significant budget losses. The Romanian market for illicit cigarettes increased from 5.9% to 6.9% of total consumption, leading to estimated losses of 324 million euros. The European Commission's proposed minimum excise duty could force Romania to raise its tobacco taxes significantly, risking further growth in illegal production. Higher taxes on legal products have not effectively reduced smoking rates, pushing consumers towards cheaper, illicit alternatives. Romania's negotiators must decide whether to lower taxes to encourage legal consumption or face a sharp increase that could exacerbate the illicit market.