Smoking
The excise duty on tobacco has been increased considerably. A pack of cigarettes now costs an average of 11.10 euros. That means an increase of more than two euros. A pack of fifty gram tobacco now costs an average of 24.62 euros. Because retailers still have stock, it may take a while before the higher price is actually paid in the store.
Even more smokers will soon buy their cigarettes and rolling tobacco abroad, warns director Jan Hein Sträter of the Association of Dutch Cigarette and Cut Tobacco Manufacturers (VSK). “A quarter of the cigarettes smoked in the Netherlands already come from abroad. For rolling tobacco it is even as high as 37 percent. That will only increase.
Cigarettes will soon be 3.80 euros cheaper in Germany, a pack of rolling tobacco even 15 euros,” says Sträter. “That makes it very worthwhile to shop across the border, in Germany, Belgium or Luxembourg.”
Happy with the measure
Hartstichting, KWF Kankerbestrijding and Lungfonds, on the other hand, are happy with the new prices for tobacco. “This increase in excise duties is a very important step towards a smoke-free generation,” says KWF director Carla van Gils. “No one wants their child to start smoking. And research has shown that making cigarettes more expensive helps with this.”
KWF hopes that the increase in excise duties will encourage existing smokers to quit or reduce their smoking. “Increasing the price is the most effective measure to encourage this, especially if it is used year after year and good smoking cessation help is available.”
Smoking knows no borders: smokers want to drive to neighboring countries to stock up on vapesAlso read
