Explainer
Why is Germany pushing cigarette prices toward twelve euros?
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After German lawmakers approved a stepped tax increase, tagesschau projects the average price for a pack will climb from 8.05 euros today to 11.36 euros by 2030.
- 2026 (current)€8.1
- 2030€11.4
Health advocates cite about 131,000 yearly deaths and 100 billion euros in social costs, with drug commissioner Hendrik Streeck declaring: I have fought for this for a long time and have not only made friends doing so.
“I have fought for this for a long time and have not only made friends doing so.”
To address tight public finances, Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil expects the tax hike to raise almost 12 billion euros.
€12bn
The tobacco industry disputes that windfall, with lobby chief Jan Mücke warning that disproportionately strong tax jumps lead to an increase in illegal cigarette trade and more purchases in low-price neighbouring countries.
“disproportionately strong tax jumps lead to an increase in illegal cigarette trade and more purchases in low-price neighbouring countries.”
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The story
Bundestag approves stepped tobacco tax rise, with pack prices seen near 12 euros by 2030Read the article
Based on reports by
- Süddeutsche ZeitungExpensive cigarettes: Tobacco taxes rise significantly
- tagesschau.deWhich tobacco products will become how much more expensive
- Deutsche WelleCigarette prices rising in Germany: will be 8.77 euros in 2027
- RP OnlineStreeck on rising tobacco tax: According to WHO calculations, a pack should cost around 23 euros
- watson.ch/This is how much a pack of cigarettes will soon cost in Germany
- 20 MinutenTobacco tax rises: Costs for a pack of cigarettes rise to 11.78 euros by 2030