Economic interests or public health when it comes to cigarette sales? For the Cancer Foundation, the government has made its choice, following statements by Finance Minister Gilles Roth (CSV) at the last Ecofin Council meeting on Friday 10 October. As the European Commission prepares a revision of the tobacco taxation directive, envisaging a harmonisation of tobacco prices, Gilles Roth expressed "strong reservations" about these planned increases, which he considers "excessive".

For the Cancer Foundation, "a State that bases a large part of its revenue on the sale of products that are harmful to health puts economic considerations before the well-being of its citizens - and in particular its young people. Cigarette prices in Luxembourg remain well below those in neighbouring France and Belgium, where protecting public health is a priority. The Grand Duchy thus continues to play the role of 'Europe's tobacconist', exporting cancer and undermining the smoking prevention policies pursued by other European Union Member States," explains the Foundation in a press release on Tuesday 14 October.

Representatives of the Customs and Excise Administration (ADA) had explained to the parliamentary committee on Friday 10 October that, while revenue from the sale of diesel fuel was down sharply, falling by 8.20% to €385 million at the end of September, cigarettes and other tobacco-related products were up sharply. Cigarettes are up 26.4% on 2024, for total revenue of €684 million at 30 September.

Soon to be €8.30 packets?

Members wanted to know what the effects of future European legislation would be. The Director of Customs and Excise, Alain Bellot, confirmed that, in the event of harmonisation, "it would indeed be Luxembourg that would have to make the greatest effort. However, the directive would only be at the discussion stage", adds the Chamber's website.

What would harmonisation of the price of a packet of cigarettes mean for Luxembourg? ADA representatives said that the price of a packet would rise to €8.30, an increase of €3.20. An opposition MP said he hoped Luxembourg would be able to "protect itself against the directive" in this context.

For the Cancer Foundation, Luxembourg should, on the contrary, "review its position and unreservedly support the European Commission's proposals". The Finance Minister, Gilles Roth, is called upon to find other sources of revenue - without compromising the health of the population.