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EU Probes Tobacco Lobbying Amid Tax Hike Controversy

1/28/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The European Commission suspects a coordinated surge of pro-industry comments on its tobacco tax hike to mislead public feedback.
David Boublil of the European Commission noted substantial tobacco industry lobbying as thousands of anonymous pro-industry submissions and fake public health submissions appeared before the deadline.
The proposal would raise the EU-wide tobacco tax from €90 to €215 per 1,000 cigarettes and the Commission plans to revise nicotine marketing by 2026.

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Story summary

The European Commission suspects a coordinated surge of pro-industry comments on its tobacco tax hike to mislead public feedback.
David Boublil of the European Commission noted substantial tobacco industry lobbying as thousands of anonymous pro-industry submissions and fake public health submissions appeared before the deadline.
The proposal would raise the EU-wide tobacco tax from €90 to €215 per 1,000 cigarettes and the Commission plans to revise nicotine marketing by 2026.