Increase in tobacco tax: smoke signals from the CDU

There is obviously a lot of smoking in the Konrad Adenauer House; there is no other explanation for the Union's approach to increasing the tobacco tax. A public hearing by nine experts in the Finance Committee of the Bundestag took place on Monday afternoon. And what is the Union doing?

It only sends representatives from the tobacco industry and a union that represents the interests of the tobacco industry. In July, the cabinet initiated a gradual increase in tobacco tax from January 1, 2027. Cigarettes, fine-cut tobacco and other tobacco products are to be taxed higher in the future. The federal government hopes to generate revenue of up to 11.7 billion euros by 2030. It's clear that the tobacco industry is worried about these plans.

Studies and experiences from EU countries such as the Netherlands show that high taxes discourage young people in particular from starting to smoke. And thus also reduce the follow-up costs for society.

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The “arguments” presented by the smoking lobby in the finance committee, however, have no scientific basis whatsoever. For example, “illegal cigarette factories” would emerge and the black market would get out of control. It would of course be best for the tobacco industry if the tobacco tax would completely go up in smoke.

With its selection of experts, the Union not only negates scientific facts, but also stabs its own addiction commissioner Hendrik Streeck (CDU) in the back. He recently complained about the pressure that the tobacco lobby is putting on members of the Bundestag and even described the approach as “stalking”.

If the federal government were to take its anti-tobacco policy seriously, it would have to drastically reduce its contacts with the tobacco lobby. Despite the ratified WHO Framework Convention on “Tobacco Control”, Germany continues to be at the bottom of the EU when it comes to tobacco control. Hopefully the MPs will take another deep breath before the final vote in the Bundestag so that quick profits for the tobacco industry do not take precedence over health.