This is reported by RBK-Ukraine referencing Infotag. According to Kontrakty.UA, the news is also being shared.
According to the Ministry of Finance of Moldova, this decision is aimed at harmonizing taxation with the practices of EU countries.
The tax changes include a 15% increase in excise duty on cartridges and tanks for electronic cigarettes (from 2690.87 lei per liter to 3094.50 lei per liter). Meanwhile, the excise on tobacco sticks for heated tobacco devices will rise by 5% in 2025 (from 1318.62 lei to 1384.55 lei per 1000 units), and the minimum excise on cigarettes will increase by 10% (from 1318.62 lei to 1450.48 lei per 1000 units).
As a result, in 2025, the difference between the excise rates on cigarettes and tobacco sticks for heated tobacco devices will be 5%. It is worth noting that a further increase in these rates is planned for 2026 at the same pace, which will create a differentiation of 10% between them.
The changes are dictated by the need to align the tax policy regarding excise duties on tobacco products and related goods with the practices of the European Union.
As mentioned, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine is preparing to transition the excise tax rates on tobacco products from hryvnias to euros as part of bill No. 11090, as well as to modify the taxation approach for regular cigarettes and tobacco products for electric heating (THPs). The excise on cigarettes will gradually increase, aiming for 90 euros by 2028, while for THPs it will be slightly lower at 72 euros.
This tax differentiation between cigarettes and THPs is necessary to harmonize our legislation with that of the EU, where the difference in excise duties on regular cigarettes and THPs averages 66%.
The government anticipates that the increase in excise taxes on all tobacco products will allow for an additional 28 billion hryvnias to be collected in the budget by 2029.