Spain’s Tax is Dangerously Misguided
Like the United Kingdom, Spain’s vape tax hike is dangerously misguided, say international health experts at Smoke Free Sweden
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by Dave Cross
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Plans to impose excessive taxes on e-cigarettes in Spain could condemn thousands of Spanish adults who smoke to a premature death, according to international health experts. The move to tax harm reduction comes as the countdown has begun to the day Swedes make history as the world’s first nation to become officially declared ‘smoke free’.
Under new proposals, the Spanish government is set to treat tobacco-free vapes the same as far more harmful combustible cigarettes. It wants to introduce a levy of €0.15 per ml of e-liquid, as well as a levy of €0.006 per milligram of nicotine, as part of its annual budget.
Criticising the move, Dr Delon Human, leader of Smoke Free Sweden said: “Sweden is on the cusp of becoming smoke free, thanks to its sensible approach to tobacco harm reduction. This includes a policy of making safer alternatives to cigarettes sufficiently affordable for people who smoke to make the switch. This contrasts greatly with this proposed move from the Spanish government, which risks forcing thousands of current vapers back to smoking and condemning them to an unnecessarily premature death.”
Alternative products, such as e-cigarettes and oral pouches, have been instrumental in helping Swedish people who smoke quit their deadly habit. Smoking rates in Sweden have plummeted by 55% over the last decade, thanks to its progressive policies on alternative nicotine products. Compared to the rest of the European Union, Sweden boasts 44% fewer smoking-related deaths, a 41% lower cancer rate, and 38% fewer deaths attributable to any cancer.
Dr Human added: “We urge the Spanish government to reconsider taxing safer alternatives the same as cigarettes and instead focus on evidence-based policies that have been proven effective in Sweden and other forward-thinking nations. With the tools available today, we have the opportunity to foster a healthier, smoke free future. It’s essential to maintain these tools, which are already assisting millions in their efforts to quit smoking for good.”
The Swedish Government statistics is set to release data on 13 November which are expected to confirm that the number of Swedish adults who smoke has dropped below the internationally recognised smoke free benchmark of 5%.
Smoke Free Sweden is urging media to mark this historic date in their diaries and to join the celebration of this global first.
Sweden’s success story highlights a unique public health approach that integrates traditional anti-smoking measures with innovative harm reduction strategies, including the widespread adoption of safer alternatives.
Dr Delon Human said: “This milestone is a momentous day for global public health. It marks the saving of thousands of lives in Sweden and should also pave the way for other nations to follow a similar path of tobacco harm reduction.
“Sweden’s model showcases how empowering citizens with effective, science-backed alternatives can drive unprecedented public health progress. November 13 should be celebrated around the world as a day of new hope and inspiration.”
Dave Cross
Journalist at POTVDave is a freelance writer; with articles on music, motorbikes, football, pop-science, vaping and tobacco harm reduction in Sounds, Melody Maker, UBG, AWoL, Bike, When Saturday Comes, Vape News Magazine, and syndicated across the Johnston Press group. He was published in an anthology of “Greatest Football Writing”, but still believes this was a mistake. Dave contributes sketches to comedy shows and used to co-host a radio sketch show. He’s worked with numerous start-ups to develop content for their websites.
