The taxman's eye returns for the umpteenth time to cigarettes, with inevitable upward adjustments in costs for smokers. While the revenue from the sale of smoking products continues to decline, a new modification of the taxation on manufactured tobacco, its substitutes and even matches is being studied.
From 2015 January 50, a series of increases on excise duties capable of ensuring an additional revenue of 2014 million should come into force, but part of these changes will already be taken into consideration in this last part of 23, in an attempt to rake in around XNUMX million. The matter is being dealt with by the Senate Finance Committee.
From 2006 to 2011, the consumption of cigarettes decreased by about 8,3 million kilograms (-8,89%), while the revenue from excise duties increased by 10,65%, with a greater revenue, in the 6 years, of 1.025 million. But in the last two years the reduction in cigarette consumption has reached 11,5 million kilos, which has resulted in a reduction in revenue, by way of excise duty, of around 500 million.
The report accompanying the decree which redetermines the taxation of tobacco and similar products also notes that the price increases made in the last two years "were judged excessive by the market, which therefore recorded a sharp reduction in consumption and, consequently, a decrease in tax revenues.
It is therefore thought to intervene on the way of calculating excise duties for cigarettes, providing for a weighted average price per conventional kilogram instead of referring to the cigarette in the most requested price class. Furthermore, it is envisaged to modify the minimum excise duty for cut meats, cigars and cigarillos, to introduce specific regulations for smokeless inhalation tobaccos and to review the taxation on the liquids of the so-called "electronic cigarettes".
A curiosity: the consumption tax on matches could be abolished, "with consequent liberalization of production and sales". Moreover - points out the report that accompanies the measure being examined by the Palazzo Madama commission - over the years this tax has suffered a continuous reduction, settling in 2013 at a value of approximately 2,5 million euros.
