Tobacco use remains the leading preventable cause of disease and premature death in Europe, with an alarming rise in the use of novel nicotine products among children and adolescents. Despite existing regulation, disparities in taxation across EU Member States and regulatory gaps for products such as e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches continue to undermine public health efforts and fuel industry exploitation, particularly targeting young people. 

As future health professionals, EMSA calls for higher and regularly adjusted minimum taxes on all tobacco and nicotine products, a uniform EU-wide definition of tobacco products, and the earmarking of tax revenues for prevention, cessation, and youth education programmes. We further urge the EU and Member States to safeguard policymaking from industry interference, ensure effective implementation without expanding illicit markets, and accelerate full compliance with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.