EUROPE
Tobacco Regulation: European Union
September 2026: EU Stalled on Nicotine Pouch Tax Debate as Clashing Blocs Block Compromise The European Union’s efforts to overhaul its Tobacco Taxation Directive remain mired in a bitter political stalemate, as member states clash over how to tax emerging non-combustible products like oral nicotine pouches. The European Commission’s proposed
Ukraine: Cigarette & Vape Market
August 2026: Over 93% of E-cigarettes in Ukraine Fail Legal Compliance, Study Reveals More than 93% of e-cigarettes on the Ukrainian market do not comply with legal requirements, with only 4% of products meeting all statutory regulations, according to a study conducted by Kantar Ukraine at the request of the
Tobacco Regulation: Russia
August 2026: Russia Imposes Up to Five Years in Prison for Smuggling Vapes Russia has officially tightened penalties on illicit cross-border trade, adding e-cigarettes, vaping liquids and nicotine salts to its official list of “strategically important goods.” Under the regulation taking effect August 20, 2026, individuals caught smuggling these products
Tobacco Regulation: Europe
August 2026: One in Six Europeans Use Tobacco or Related Products Daily, Survey Shows 16.5% of people aged 16 and older across the European Union used tobacco and related products on a daily basis in 2025, according to Eurostat survey data. Representing roughly one in six EU residents, this figure
Germany: Cigarette Market
July 2026: Germany to Push Tobacco Tax Higher Than Planned in Bid to Plug Budget Deficit Facing a growing fiscal deficit, the German government is planning a substantial hike in tobacco taxes that goes significantly higher than initially projected. According to plans drafted by the Federal Ministry of Finance, the
France: Cigarette Market
June 2026: Smoking declines in France as vaping continues to rise Tobacco sales through tobacconists in mainland France fell by 8.2 million tonnes in 2025 compared with 2024, reaching a total of 30.2 million tonnes. The decline was broad-based across most categories, while other tobacco products – such as hookah
South-East Europe: Cigarette Market
South-East Europe: Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania and Serbia February 2026: Factory Closures Turn Bosnia’s Tobacco Sector into an Import-Dependent Market Bosnia & Herzegovina’s tobacco industry, established in the late 19th century, was once a pillar of domestic manufacturing. Over the past two
Europe: Cigarette Prices
January 2026: Tobacco Prices Increase Across Europe in 2026 In 2026, most European countries increase taxes on tobacco and an expanding range of nicotine products as part of public health strategies aimed at reducing use, preventing youth initiation, and addressing health inequalities. Nations including the UK, Germany, Austria, France, Italy
Italy: Cigarette Market
December 2025: Italy’s 2026 Tobacco Tax Hike – What to Expect Starting on January 1, 2026, the Italian Government will implement a significant increase in excise taxes on tobacco and nicotine products following the approval of the 2026 Budget Law. The reform introduces a multi-year framework for raising taxes on
Spain: Cigarette Market
December 2025: Japan Tobacco is the new cigarette market leader in Spain Japan Tobacco (JT), the maker of Camel and Winston, snatches the cigarette market leadership in Spain for the first time in history. JT reached a market share of 27.4% at the end of November 2025, surpassing Imperial Brands-owned
