- Category: Article
In France, smoking will be banned on beaches and at bus stops starting this summer. Similar legislation is under consideration in Spain, while Italy and Belgium plan to introduce their own public smoking bans later this year.
- Category: Article
Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra, whose portfolio includes climate and taxation, plans to propose a revision of the Tobacco Products Tax Directive before summer. Slovakia’s finance ministry supports the European harmonization, which would raise prices in the country.
- Category: Article
Although pressure to reduce administrative burdens in the European Union is increasing, experts agree that real systemic changes are hindered by political obstacles and a lack of priorities.
- Category: Article
The government defends the low ambitions of its energy plan with the principle of "value for money," but the Commission warns that without higher efficiency, businesses will pay more for energy and lose competitiveness. According to the plan, companies are supposed to electrify, but it is unclear where they will obtain renewable electricity.
