Health Minister Milan Kujundzic commented today on the possible introduction of preventive taxes on alcohol and tobacco, which, if passed, would result in a 50 percent increase in prices of cigarettes and alcoholic drinks.

„Numerous developed countries have done this already,“ Kujundzic said.

He added that was one of the most efficient measures which prevents children from entering the world of smoking and alcohol.

„This was my attempt to begin a dialogue with the nation. If the people of Croatia want their children to smoke less tomorrow, to suffer as little as possible from liver disease and demetia, then, I believe, the nation will support (the proposal). If not, then we must all together take responsibility for letting our children down this path which always ends badly,“ Kujudzic said.

Last week, the Employer’s Association (HUP) called the proposal to raise taxes on tobacco and alcohol unacceptable, saying it could result in losses for tobacco and alcohol producers and the state budget as well as layoffs.

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