The European Commission believes a surge of pro-industry comments on its proposed tobacco tax increase was likely coordinated to distort the public consultation process, according to Tobacco Journal . Thousands of anonymous submissions, including fake entries posing as public health experts, were filed in the final hours of the consultation, officials said.

The Commission’s proposal would more than double the EU-wide minimum tobacco tax to €215 per 1,000 cigarettes, a move expected to face political resistance. Cyprus has suggested lowering the figure to €200 and giving member states more time to implement the changes.

In parallel, the Commission plans a broader overhaul of nicotine product rules in 2026, expanding regulation to e-cigarettes, heated tobacco and nicotine pouches, with the European Parliament urging stricter controls on marketing, flavours and packaging.