European Commission faces investigation over tobacco industry lobbying

The European Ombudsman has launched an investigation into how the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Trade (DG TRADE) manages interactions with tobacco industry lobbyists. The inquiry follows complaints from the organization Contre-Feu, which alleges that regular, non-transparent, and unnecessary interactions may compromise public health policies, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Simultaneously, the European Commission is proposing a major revision of the Tobacco Taxation Directive (TTD). The proposal aims to increase minimum excise duties on cigarettes by 139% to discourage consumption. It also seeks to introduce EU-wide minimum taxes on electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches for the first time.

These regulatory efforts come as tobacco-related illnesses cause approximately 700,000 deaths annually in the EU, costing an estimated 25 billion euros in healthcare expenses. The new measures also aim to extend tobacco traceability systems to combat illicit trade.