A new Tobacco Control Scale 2025 report published by the Smoke Free Partnership shows that tobacco control in Europe is going backwards for the first time in two decades, with more countries weakening policies than strengthening them. The report covers 37 European countries and links the decline to growing political resistance to stronger EU tobacco taxation reforms.

According to the findings, tobacco taxes in several countries are not keeping pace with inflation, and planned reforms at EU level risk further slowing progress. The report highlights concerns that weaker tax rules and delayed indexation could make tobacco products more affordable over time, particularly affecting youth smoking rates.

Country examples include Malta, where cigarette pricing policies remain weak and support for automatic tax indexation is limited; Italy, which has fallen significantly in the rankings due to insufficient regulation of heated tobacco products and gaps in advertising controls; and Sweden, where low taxation and the promotion of nicotine pouches have raised concerns about increasing youth exposure to nicotine products.

The report also criticizes current discussions on the EU Tobacco Taxation Directive, warning that proposals to lower minimum excise rates, delay inflation adjustments until 2035, and extend transition periods could undermine public health goals. It states that such measures risk moving Europe further away from its objective of achieving a tobacco-free generation by 2040.

Health experts involved in the report emphasize that tobacco remains responsible for more than 700,000 deaths annually in the European Union. They warn that cheaper and more accessible tobacco and nicotine products, combined with inconsistent regulation of newer products such as vapes and heated tobacco, could slow or reverse recent progress in reducing smoking rates.

The Smoke Free Partnership calls on EU institutions and member states to maintain stronger minimum tax levels, ensure automatic inflation-linked increases, avoid long transition periods for new products, and regulate heated tobacco products in the same way as traditional cigarettes.