Estonia’s Ministry of Finance has proposed raising excise duties on alcohol, tobacco, and fuel by 5% per year over 2025-2028, ERR reports. The tax hikes would take effect as of 1 July 2025. The bill would raise alcohol and tobacco taxes more than initially planned for 2025 and 2026. Estonia’s excise tax on petrol has…
Smoking rates in Latvia are rising again after a decade of decline, LSM reports. Children are starting to smoke at a younger age, with a notable increase in electronic cigarette use among those aged 15-24 years. Public health experts highlight the misconception among parents that electronic cigarettes are less harmful than traditional ones. They emphasise…
The Latvian parliament, the Saeima, has approved amendments raising the smoking age limit from 18 to 20 years as of 1 January 2025, LSM reports. The law covers cigarettes, tobacco products, herbal smoking items, electronic smoking devices, and refill containers. Violations can result in fines of EUR 280-700 for individuals and EUR 700-7,100 for legal…
The Estonian company, Filaret, has set up collection boxes for cigarette butts in Tartu, ERR reports. Ines-Issa Villido, founder of Filaret, noted that around 300 tonnes of cigarette filter waste was created in Estonia every year, which equals to some 100 truck loads. Filaret’s collection boxes will stay at various locations in Tartu until the…
Lithuania remains an EU leader in terms of the market share of contraband cigarettes, according to KPMG’s market research, DELFI reports. The study found that altogether 2.63 billion cigarettes were consumed in Lithuania in 2022, which was 0.2 billion less than in 2021. Contraband cigarettes accounted for 0.59 billion of the total, which was 19.2%…
