A new European tobacco control report warns that progress on smoking regulation is reversing across the continent, with Romania recording the sharpest decline in rankings.

The 2025 Tobacco Control Scale, released Tuesday by the Smoke Free Partnership, found that 23 of 37 European countries scored worse than in 2021, the first overall decline since the ranking began 20 years ago.

Romania dropped 26 places to 34th position, while Italy and Greece also saw major declines. The report blamed weak regulation of heated tobacco products and tobacco taxes failing to keep pace with inflation, making cigarettes and alternative nicotine products more affordable.

Ireland again topped the rankings, followed by the UK, the Netherlands and France. Meanwhile, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Switzerland remained at the bottom.

The report also accused several EU member states of undermining negotiations on reforming the EU Tobacco Taxation Directive. Countries including Luxembourg, Malta, Italy and Sweden were criticised for opposing tougher minimum tobacco taxes, delaying inflation-linked tax increases, or supporting looser rules for heated tobacco and nicotine pouch products.

According to the report, Romania, Italy and Czechia still allow heated tobacco products to be used in bars, restaurants and workplaces and permit forms of advertising banned for cigarettes.

The Smoke Free Partnership urged EU governments to maintain stronger minimum tobacco taxes, avoid lengthy transition periods and regulate heated tobacco products under the same rules as cigarettes.

“Too many governments are falling behind on tobacco control while simultaneously arguing for weaker tobacco taxes,” said SFP director Erin Roman, warning that the trend could undermine Europe’s goal of creating a tobacco-free generation by 2040.