Netherlands raises tobacco taxes

The Netherlands has been engaged in an active policy of reducing tobacco consumption in recent years.

Among the latest provisions adopted is the implementation of a dynamic tax policy. Inspired by the tax policy adopted in France with the objective of the 10 euro package, the country has increased since 1^er April 2020 tobacco taxes, in order to increase the median price of a packet by 1 euro. A packet of cigarettes now costs an average of 8.20 euros. At the same time, the price of packets of rolling tobacco was increased by 2.40 euros[1]Let us recall in this regard that repeated and significant increases in taxes on tobacco products are the most effective lever for reducing the prevalence of smoking, starting with that of vulnerable populations and young people.

Other measures tightening existing smoking bans include a ban on smoking at airports, while the Dutch railway company has said it will make its platforms smoke-free from October and reduce the number of tobacco outlets it sells.

These measures, which are to be welcomed, are motivated by a national prevention agreement, a government program aimed at tackling the risk factors of non-communicable diseases such as cancers, cardiovascular or respiratory diseases as well as diabetes. The latter are massively due to behavioral risk factors: primarily smoking but also alcohol, lack of activity and obesity problems that particularly affect the Netherlands. Thus, the public authorities have set themselves the objective of achieving a tobacco-free society by 2040, i.e. that the prevalence is below 5%. The smoking prevalence in the Netherlands is currently 25.9%.