Morocco's Minister Opposes E-Cigarette Tax Hike, Emphasizes Comprehensive Management Measures

Nov.13.2024
Morocco's Minister Opposes E-Cigarette Tax Hike, Emphasizes Comprehensive Management Measures
Moroccan parliament members proposed increasing the e-cigarette tax, but the Budget Department rejected the suggestion.

According to Marrakech7's report on November 12th, the Moroccan Parliament discussed the widespread use of e-cigarettes among Moroccan youth while deliberating on amendments to the 2025 fiscal law project. Several members of parliament called for an increase in taxes on e-cigarettes and hookah products to protect the health of Moroccan citizens.

 

Finance Minister Fouzi Lekjaa has rejected the proposal to increase e-cigarette taxes, pointing out that relying solely on tax measures is not sufficient to address the issue, especially since these products have already been taxed in the past.

 

Lawmakers are strongly demanding an increase in consumption taxes on products such as e-cigarette liquid, similar devices, water pipe accessories for smokeless tobacco, and nicotine replacement products in order to limit their popularity and reduce exposure. This is to protect young people and women from potential health risks associated with these products.

 

Fouzi Lekjaa said, "Taxation is not the only way to reduce smoking consumption. Some lawmakers have witnessed the period when the country generated a significant amount of revenue through taxation, which is what we are trying to avoid. The taxation logic that we have followed over the past decade has been consistent and coordinated, including cracking down on smuggling and introducing "marking" to legalize distribution channels."

 

"This year we have taken two fundamental steps: 'labeling' and levying the same tax on e-cigarettes as traditional cigarettes, which is an important tax measure."

 

"Our main goal is to ensure that children and young people naturally stay away from anything that may lead them astray in school, in a healthy environment. The cost of health is not just the cost on paper, but also the cost of deviation, which far exceeds tax revenue."

 

"The measures we have taken are balanced, increasing taxation on e-cigarettes, and we are continuing to cooperate to eliminate these social phenomena."

 

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