The head of BAT Germany, Blagoje Jovanovic, has criticized the planned increases in tobacco tax put forward by the federal government. Speaking to the news portal “T-Online,” the British American Tobacco manager stated, “We fundamentally have no problem with tobacco tax. However, I do have a problem with a tax shock if prices rise too significantly.”
From the tobacco company’s perspective, the currently discussed plans are too broad and could instead strengthen purchases abroad and the black market. Jovanovic asserted that he believes “Mr. Klingbeil has drastically misjudged things,” referring to Federal Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD). He argued that the government’s calculation is incorrect, concluding sharply that “what is currently being discussed is the best stimulus package for the black market.”
