Tobacco Asia

16 tobaccoasia FRONT PAGE NEWS 卷首新闻 UK Tightens Rules Ahead of Generational Tobacco Ban UK retailers are now working under new age-of-sale rules that took effect on October 29 and a generational tobacco ban follows on January 1, 2027. The changes form part of the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026, which received Royal Assent on April 29. The legislation introduces new age-of-sale rules for vaping and nicotine products and establishes a new system that will progressively prevent future generations from legally buying tobacco. From October 29, the minimum age for purchasing vaping and nicotine products, including zero-nico- tine vapes, became 18. The requirement covers products including vapes, e-liquids, and nicotine pouches, bringing prod- ucts such as zero-nicotine vapes subject to age limitations for the first time. The restrictions apply to both online sales and shops. Promotional giveaways and certain substantial discounts involving these products will also be restricted. The legislation also introduces restrictions on vending machines selling tobacco, herbal smoking products, cigarette papers, vaping products, and nicotine products. An exemption will allow vape vending machines in adult mental health inpatient settings in England and Wales. From October 29, local authorities gained additional enforcement powers, including the ability to issue £200 (US$269) fixed penalty notices for certain offenses. The more far-reaching tobacco measure will take effect on January 1, 2027, when the UK introduces its generational tobacco ban. From that date, it will become illegal to sell tobacco products, herbal smoking products, or cigarette papers to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009. The birth-date cutoff stays fixed, so the effective minimum age for buying tobacco rises by one year every year. The legislation will also make it an offense for anyone aged 18 or older to buy, or attempt to buy, tobacco, herbal smoking products, or cigarette papers on behalf of someone covered by the birth-date restriction. Retailers in England and Wales must display an age-of- sale notice from January 1 stating: "It is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009." The government is also preparing further regulations under the Act, covering areas including tobacco and vaping product stan- dards, packaging, advertising and sponsorship, retail licensing, product registration, flavors and product displays. Germany Approves Tobacco Tax Hikes Through 2030 Germany has approved four years of tobacco tax increases that are expected to raise the average price of a pack of cigarettes by almost €4 by 2030. The Bundestag passed the law on October 15, adopting a steeper version than the government originally proposed, and the Bundesrat approved it the following day. The governing CDU/CSU and SPD coalition backed the bill, while the AfD, the Greens, Die Linke and two CDU/CSU members voted against it. The Finance Committee raised the increases above those in the government's July draft before the final vote. For cigarettes, the tax will rise in annual steps from 2027, reaching 14.34 euro cents per stick plus 21.05% of the retail price in 2027 and 18.57 cents per stick plus 21.05% in 2030. The average price of a 20-cigarette pack is projected to rise from about €8.05 (US$9.46) today to €9.10 (US$10.69) in 2027 and €11.78 (US$13.84) in 2030, compared with €11.36 for 2030 under the original draft. Manufacturers and importers set retail prices, so the figures are estimates rather than mandated prices. The increases also cover fine-cut tobacco, heated tobacco, e-cigarette liquids, cigars, cigarillos, pipe tobacco and waterpipe tobacco. Higher rates for cigars, cigarillos, pipe and waterpipe tobacco take effect on March 1, 2027. The government expects the law to generate about €1.5 billion (US$1.76 billion) in additional revenue in 2027, rising to about €4.46 billion (US$5.24 billion) in 2030 — roughly double the amounts forecast for the original draft. It says the increases form part of measures agreed to address pressure on the federal budget and will also support public-health objectives by reducing smoking among young people and adults. The tobacco industry opposed the plan. The German Association of the Tobacco Industry and Novel Products (BVTE) launched its "Tabaksteuer mit Augenmaß" campaign on September 21, backed by BAT Germany, JTI Germany, Philip Morris Germany, Reemtsma, and tobacco wholesale, vending and retail associations, calling for a more moderate tax trajectory. The state of Hesse had also said it would oppose the increases. The industry points to declining tobacco-tax receipts. Finance Ministry figures show revenue reached €9.789 billion (US$11.50 billion) from January through August 2026, down 10.8% year on year. BVTE also reported that tax-paid cigarette volume fell 12.6% to 40.6 billion sticks, while cigarette-tax revenue declined 11.3% to about €7.42 billion (US$8.72 billion). BVTE has warned that the increases will encourage cross-border purchasing and illicit supply. The Finance Ministry says there is no independent empirical evidence of smokers switching to the illegal market and that customs will carry out controls. Türkiye Prepares Generational Tobacco Ban Türkiye is preparing a new tobacco-control bill that would permanently prohibit people born after January 1, 2015, from buying, using, or smoking tobacco products, according to Professor Toker Ergüder, who is involved in drafting the legislation. The Health Ministry has worked on the proposal for about a year and expects to submit it to the Turkish Parliament in October, Ergüder told Anadolu Agency. The draft would introduce several other changes to tobacco rules, including new cigarette-packaging requirements and the removal of slim cigarettes from the market. However, Turkish media reports noted that the exact scope of the provision remains subject to the legislative process. The draft has not yet become law, and parliament could amend its provisions before any final legislation takes effect. The proposal would also tighten smoking restrictions in public areas. Smoking would no longer be permitted in either the indoor or outdoor sections of restaurants, while designated smoking areas would be established in parks, gardens, and the grounds of public buildings. The proposed smoking areas would sit out of public view. The draft also outlines a longer-term plan to end tobacco production and sales in Türkiye from 2040. The proposed measures come as cigarette sales in Türkiye have increased substantially over the past decade, according to figures cited by Ergüder. Annual cigarette sales rose from about 91,000 metric tons, equivalent to 4.5 billion packs, in 2012 to approximately 160,000 metric tons, or 8 billion packs, in 2025. Ergüder said the Health Ministry has developed the proposal with input from academics and civil society organiza- tions, which have also conducted field research related to tobacco use. The government planned to bring the legislation before parliament in October. Its final provisions and imple- mentation timetable will depend on the parliamentary process.

• Cover