Romania faces high smoking rates as EU tightens nicotine product rules

A Eurobarometer survey shows that 34% of Romanian adults smoke, the third‑highest prevalence in the European Union. Approximately 30,000 Romanians die each year from smoking‑related illnesses despite a decade of higher tobacco taxes, consumption restrictions and advertising bans.

The EU is preparing to revise its Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) and Tobacco Excise Directive (TED). The proposed changes would harmonise minimum taxes across member states and impose stricter limits on alternative nicotine products, including possible bans on disposable e‑cigarettes, flavored vaping liquids and nicotine pouches. The European Commission is expected to present the final proposal before the end of the year, which could further constrain the market for less‑harmful smoking alternatives in Romania.