English
Italiano The Minimum Price – The Definitive Condemnation of Europe
Today it was the turn of France, Austria and Ireland. The condemnation of Italy that was slightly delayed will follow automatically, without further hearings.
Logo of the “Court of Justice of the European Community”
Now, what are our valorous politicians going to do, will they comply without wasting any more time?
Italy is a democratic republic born from the Italian “Resistenza”; can we hope that they won't try to exploit the minimum price to the last, using “passive resistenza”?
“The minimum price protects the profits of the manufacturers, giving away potential tax revenues of the State”.
Based on Article 9, no. 1 of the Directive 95/59/CE, it is clearly prohibited for member States to intervene imposing in a discretional manner the minimum retail prices of processed tobacco products.
“Price increases on tobacco products can be made only by fiscal pressure; the taxation level can be raised to increase the final price regardless of the exact profit margin of the businesses and /or to what degree they are willing to sell without earnings or even at a loss”.
The European Commission was quite clear. We are waiting to see what Italy is going to do.
No Comments