The Latvian government has revised the Consumption Tax Law to gradually increase the consumption tax on electronic cigarette oil and other next-generation tobacco products.

In 2024, 2025, and 2026, the consumption tax on electronic cigarette liquids and other electronic cigarette products will increase by an average of 21% annually. Other tobacco 'substitute products', including nicotine bags, will increase by 10%.

Alberto G ó mez Hern á ndez, Community Manager of the World Federation of Electronic Cigarette Enthusiasts, stated that these amendments will reduce the attractiveness of smoking choices in Latvia and have a negative impact on Latvia's efforts to curb smoking.

Gomez Hernandez stated in a press release that "increasing taxes on safer nicotine products will prevent smokers from switching to smoking and encourage users to smoke again." International evidence suggests that increasing taxes on e-cigarettes and electronic liquids always leads to an increase in the number of smokers, especially among young people and low-income groups.

Latvia should follow the example of countries such as the UK and Sweden that have successfully reduced smoking rates by encouraging smokers to quit, rather than making them pay a greater price

The bill also increases the consumption tax on heated tobacco products and combustible cigarettes by 5% and 5.6% annually, respectively.