E-cigarette representatives expect only from 2017 with a tax in Germany

Tax on e-cigarettes will probably come only in 2017
Although health experts have long warned against the dangers of e-cigarettes, so far only a few steps have been taken against these products. Although the EU Commission is currently working on a regulation of the electronic evaporators, the German manufacturers do not expect taxation of their products until 2017 at the earliest.

Years of dispute over unhealthy e-cigarettes
For years, an expert dispute raging about unhealthy e-cigarettes. Although they see some people as a better alternative to tobacco, but e-cigarettes are not harmless, as scientific research showed. Some researchers even think that they are sometimes more problematic than normal smoking. Health experts have long been calling for a stricter approach to electronic vaporizers. Happened so far is little. Even though, according to a court ruling, e-cigarettes containing nicotine may not be sold at present, there should be a new legal regulation in May, on which the EU Commission is currently working. The manufacturers, however, give themselves relaxed. They do not expect a quick tax on their products.

Health experts have long been calling for a stricter approach to e-cigarettes. The manufacturers expect at the earliest 2017 with a tax on their products. (Image: esoxx01 / fotolia.com)

Manufacturers expect a tax at the earliest next year
As a report from the "Welt am Sonntag" (WaS) shows, the German manufacturers of e-cigarettes do not expect taxation of their products until 2017 at the earliest. According to the figures, the European Commission is about to lay down key points for the regulation of e-cigarettes and a tax for steam appliances with their nicotine liquids. Dac Sprengel, CEO of the Association of e-cigarette trade in Germany, told the newspaper, however, that they expect no tax, as is usual with tobacco cigarettes. "Maybe a nicotine tax comes out of it, which would then have to be much lower for the e-cigarette than for the tobacco cigarette," said Sprengel.

Industry with huge sales
The lobbyist justified this difference with the lower health risks of electronic vaporizers. "I'm not saying that she's free of risks. But the e-cigarette is far less dangerous than the tobacco cigarette, "said Sprengel to the WaS. And even if large international tobacco companies are now pushing into the business, Sprengel sees no danger for SMEs: "There will always be room for small businesses in the e-cigarette trade, but the growth is just big enough." The head of the association expects this year an industry turnover of 350 to 400 million euros. Compared to 2015, this would be an increase of about 30 percent. (Ad)