According to industry spokesman Josef Prirschl, the survival of local tobacconists is under threat. The reason: the EU wants to take measures so that in 2040 far fewer people will smoke cigarettes than now. With her “plan against cancer” she wants to reduce the smoking rate from 25 percent to five percent.
“There is an acute need for political action to secure the future of Austrian tobacconists. The EU cancer plan aims to reduce the number of smokers from the current 25 percent to five percent. For the tobacconists, this means not only a significantly lower income, but also that their future is at stake,” says Prischl.
EU subscription can cost up to 38% of sales
We currently have over 5,000 tobacconists, more than half of which are run by people with disabilities. KMU Forschung Austria has calculated in scenarios that the EU plan could cost tobacco shops 19 to 38 percent of their turnover by 2030.
In order to ensure economic viability, Prirschl demands that smokeable hemp products, nicotine pouches, lottery products, etc. may in future only be sold in tobacconists.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
