Members of the Moroccan parliament have suggested raising taxes on vapes, something the budget minister has rejected. He stressed the importance of various measures such as combating smuggling and legalizing sales channels, and that taxes alone cannot solve the problem.
According to Marrakech7, on November 12. The Moroccan Parliament discussed the widespread use of vapes among Moroccan youth when deliberating on the project amendment of the 2025 Finance Law. Many lawmakers have called for higher taxes on vapes and hookah products to ensure the health of Moroccan citizens.
Budget Minister Fouzi Lekjaa refused to raise taxes on vapes. Noting that tax measures alone are insufficient and that these goods have been taxed before.
The lawmakers strongly recommended increasing the excise tax on e-liquids. Similar devices, smokeless hookah accessories, smokeless nicotine substitutes, and other goods, hoping to limit their popularity, reduce exposure, and ensure that youth and women are protected from possible health risks.
Fouzi Lekjaa said,
- “Paying taxes is not the only way to reduce smoking consumption. Some members witnessed a period when our country got a lot of revenue by paying taxes, which we avoided. The tax logic we have followed over the past decade is coherent and coordinated. Including the fight against smuggling and the introduction of ‘marking’ to legalize sales channels.”
- “This year, we took two basic steps: ‘labeling’ and taxing vapes like traditional tobacco, which is an important tax measure.”
- “Our main goal is to keep kids and young adults on campus naturally away from everything that could cause them to go off track in a healthy environment.” Health costs are not just book costs, there are error costs that far exceed revenue.”
- “To eliminate these social phenomena, we have taken balanced measures, increased the level of taxation on vapes, and continue to cooperate.”
