On 8 February 2012, Mr. Usatii Andrei the Minister of the Healthcare, held a press-conference where he talked on issues having to do directly with the tobacco industry in Moldova (specifically selling tobacco products and new taxes on them).
Mr. Usatii mentioned that there is a program which incorporates a set of measures on setting the “tax on vice” and on forbidding to sell the tobacco products near schools – as he said the program was adopted through a Decision of the Government. The program incorporates the period from 2012 to 2016 and comes as a way to alienate the Moldovan legislation to the legal provisions of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
At the press-conference it was also mentioned about a future gradual increase of the excise tax (up to 60%) and about incorporating a new tax – the “tax on vice” (a tax that will be instituted beginning with 2014). Mr. Usatii gave the 4% as a prospective “tax on vice” although it is not clear if this number is already set or it is still to be decided.
Out attorneys were able to find a summary of the Decision of the Government that Mr. Usatii talked about. The official version did not appear yet but we expect it to be published in the Monitorul Oficial (Official Gazette) by 10 February 2012. In regard to the draft we can mention the following important points:
(a) The HW may be increased up until 50%-75%;
(b) More detailed and clear provisions prohibiting the commercials with tobacco products will be introduced;
As soon as new information will be available on this subject, our attorneys will keep you informed. Shall you have questions on the above mentioned do not hesitate to contact us.