After each increase in excise duty on cigarettes and shag, part of the smokers stops it. But the substantial price increase of 2024 has that effect much less. Most smoking where now comes from abroad, where the products are much cheaper.
In 2024 there was an unprecedented increase in the prices of tobacco and cigarettes, but the stop effect was more limited than after earlier excise duties. This is the conclusion of research by the RIVM.
In the spring of 2024, the prices of cigarettes increased by 24 percent and that of Shag by 45 percent. As a result, a package of brand cigarettes now costs more than 11 euros. Shagrokers count around 25 euros for a pack of Merkhag.
The increase in excise duty is the third in a series. Prices also rose in April 2020 and 2023, but less fast. The government hopes to discourage smokers. Moreover, the measure must yield more income for the treasury.
But both goals are not achieved when more and more smokers buy their smoking weights across the border. There, especially in Germany, the prices are much lower. Of all the tobacco smoked in the Netherlands, an estimated 62 percent comes from abroad. For the last increase in excise duty it was still 38 percent. Earlier research exposed that the Dutch buy much more smoking where abroad.
Smokers stopped mainly for health
There are also smoke addicts who have stopped after the last increase in excise duty. One in fifteen smokers stopped after the price increase of 2024. Less than one in five made an stop attempt. The most important motivation was health. More than half of the stoppers did that because of the finances. Smokers mentioned that reason more often than before.
After the increase in excise duty in 2020, one in three smokers made an stop attempt. More than one in ten managed to stop completely. The price increase of 2023 had a little less effect on the stopping behavior, which in 2024 therefore went even further.
The RIVM does not think it makes sense to make tobacco even more expensive. The institute recommends doing something against purchasing across the border. For example, it would help if EU countries draw the prices of smoking.
The maximum amount of tobacco that may be transported over EU boundaries can also be reduced, says RIVM. Now smokers can bring four slippers cigarettes and 1 kilo tobacco. “Even smokers who smoke a lot can move one to two months ahead with these quantities and therefore do not often have to make a trip abroad to smoke cheaper.”
After Each Excrease Increase on Cigarettes and Shag, A Portion of Smokers Quit. However, the Substantial Price Increase in 2024 HAS had much less of an effect. Most Tobacco Products Now Come From Abroad, Where The Products Are Much Cheaper.
In 2024, there was an unprecedented increase in the prices of tobacco and cigarettes, but the quitsing effect was more limited than after previous excise excases. This is accordance to research by the Rivm.
In the Spring of 2024, Cigarette Prices Rose by 24 percent and Shag Prices by 45 percent. As a result, a pack of branded cigarettes now costs more than 11 euros. Shag Smokers pay around 25 euros for a pack of branded shag.
The Excise Increase is the third in a series. In April 2020 and 2023, Prices also Rose, But Less Sharply. The Government Hopes to Discourage Smokers with this. In Addition, The Measure Should Generate More Revenue for the Treasury.
But both goals are not achieved if more and more smokers buy their tobacco abroad. There, Especialy in Germany, Prices Are Much Lower. IT is Estimated that 62 percent of all Tobacco Smoked in the Netherlands Comes from Abroad. Before the latest Excise Increase, IT was still 38 percent. Earlier Research Already Revealed that Dutch People Buy Much More Tobacco Abroad.
Smokers Quit Primarily for Health
There are also smokers who have quit after the latest excise increase. One in Fifteen Smokers Quit After the Price Increase in 2024. Less than One in Five Made a Quit Attempt. The Most Important Motivation was Health. More than Half of the Quitters also Did So Because of finances. Smokers MENTIONED That Reason More Often than Before.
After the excise increase in 2020, one in three smokers made a quit attempt. More Than One in Ten Ten Managed To Quit Completely THEN. The Price Increase In 2023, A Somewhat Smaller Effect On Quitting Behavior, which Further Declined in 2024.
The Rivm Does Not Think It Makes Sense To Make Tobacco Even More Expective. The Institute Advies Doing Something Against Purchasing Abroad. For Example, it would help IF EU Countries Aligned the Prices of Tobacco Products.
The Rivm also suggests that the maximum amount of tobacco that may be transported across eu borders could be reduced. Currently, Smokers Are Allowed to Take Four Cartons of Cigarettes and 1 Kilo or Tobacco with Theme. “Just smokers who smoke a lot can last one to two months with these amounts and therefore do not have to make a trip abroad very ofes to smoke cheaper.”