Chair, Vice-Chair and Members of the Health and
Senior Citizen's Committee
Parliament of Denmark
Via email: [email protected]
Brussels, 17 July 2017
Ref. nr.: 17.37682AA
Dear Madam, Dear Sir,
In the next few months, DG TAXUD of the European Commission is expected to advise the EU
Member States on the potential requirement to adapt Council Directive 2011/64/EU regarding
tobacco taxation. An essential element currently considered is the occurrence of so-called borderline
tobacco products. These products are classified in the lower taxed cigar/cigarillo category, but are
perceived and consumed as cheaper substitutes for cigarettes.
Both in EU Brussels and in the capitals, the insight gains ground that in this particular case health
considerations must be prioritized over tax income issues. Recently, a new Additional Preventive Tax
option was formulated that prevents young and low income consumers to be tempted towards
cheaper borderline products while maintaining current tobacco taxation income. This appears to be
the preferred option of over 60% of over 100 interviewed health and tax experts. Please find
attached the complete report of this Elite Opinion Poll that includes further details on the APT.
Following consultations with DG TAXUD, this matter has been presented to your Government. Please
find attached my letter to your Prime Minister, Mr Lars Løkke Rasmussen. Potentially, a high-level
roundtable conference will be organized in EU Brussels. I look forward to have your advice with
regards to both the Additional Preventive Tax and your potential support for the organization of the
roundtable conference.
I am gladly at your disposal for any further information.
Yours sincerely,
Prof Mark Eyskens
Chairman, PA International Foundation
Former Prime Minister of Belgium
Encl:
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Report of Elite Opinion Poll on the Taxation of Tobacco Products;
Letter to the Prime Minister, Mr Lars Løkke Rasmussen;