Moroccan Government Rejects Tax Increase on E-Cigarettes Amid Health Debate
The Moroccan government has rejected proposed amendments from opposition parties in the House of Representatives aimed at increasing taxes on electronic cigarettes and similar products as part of the draft finance law for 2026.
During discussions in the Finance and Economic Development Committee, Mr. Fouzi Lekjaa, the Minister Delegate to the Minister of Economy and Finance responsible for the budget, stated that raising internal consumption taxes on these products would not effectively reduce their appeal.
Mr. Lekjaa remarked, "While we support efforts to combat these products, increasing taxes is not the sole solution, as is the case with traditional cigarettes." He acknowledged the health risks associated with nicotine and alcohol products but emphasized that tax hikes are not always the answer.
He also cautioned against the unintended consequences of new taxes, suggesting that increased import taxes on regular cigarettes could exacerbate risks and encourage smuggling, particularly following last year’s fee increases.
Opposition parties had proposed changes to Article 5 of the draft finance law, advocating for higher taxes on various products, including e-cigarette refill liquids, similar devices, shisha tobacco accessories, and non-tobacco molasses, as well as non-refillable electronic cigarettes.
This debate occurs within the broader political discourse on how best to address products harmful to health, with the government advocating for a balanced approach that weighs economic and social factors, while the opposition views tax increases as a viable strategy to curb consumption.
