EU capitals fail to reach a deal on nicotine taxes

EU finance ministers could not reach a consensus on a revised tobacco tax law, despite a near-unanimous compromise. Finland and Sweden resolved their differences over the minimum tax rate for nicotine pouches, but Malta remained opposed. Irish Finance Minister Simon Harris noted that 26 countries agreed, but unanimity is necessary for the directive. The tobacco tax directive has faced prolonged divisions, particularly regarding minimum tax rates for nicotine products and inflation indexing.