Moroccan Government Rejects Opposition Proposal to Increase Excise Tax on E-Cigarettes

Key Points

• Moroccan government rejects amendments seeking to raise TIC on e-cigarette liquids, devices and waterpipe accessories.
• Budget Minister says higher excise duties do not reduce demand and may stimulate illegal trade.
• Government notes it already raised these duties last year and warns further increases would intensify smuggling.
• Opposition claims many e-cigarette types sold in Morocco are banned in EU countries and should be taxed more heavily.
• Lawmakers raise concerns about rapid spread of vaping among youth and gaps in current taxation of e-cigarette components.

2Firsts, November 13, 2025 — According to h24info reports, the Moroccan government has categorically rejected opposition proposals to increase the internal consumption tax (TIC) on e-cigarettes as part of the 2026 Finance Bill. Budget Minister Delegate Fouzi Lekjaa stated that such a measure would mainly fuel smuggling without meaningfully reducing consumer demand.

The debate took place during a meeting of the Finance and Economic Development Committee of the House of Representatives, held on Tuesday to examine amendments and vote on the first part of the 2026 Finance Bill.

Lekjaa said: “In principle, we support efforts to combat these products, but taxation is not the only path.” He stressed that raising excise duties does not guarantee lower consumption, whether for traditional cigarettes or electronic ones.

He added that taxation must remain balanced, warning that excessive increases in duties on tobacco-related products would encourage illegal trade. He recalled that duties were already raised last year and warned that going further “would open the door to trafficking.”

Opposition groups — including the Socialist Group and the Justice and Development Party (PJD) — had submitted amendments to Article 5 of the 2026 Finance Bill, seeking to raise TIC on refill liquids for e-cigarettes, similar devices and accessories for shisha or maassel (with or without tobacco).

Lahcen Lachgar of the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP) argued that many types of e-cigarettes available in Morocco are banned in several EU countries. He criticised their growing availability and the continued drop in retail prices, which makes them increasingly accessible. According to him, higher taxation would help protect public health.

PJD representative Mostafa Brahimi highlighted the health and social burden caused by all forms of tobacco, stressing the significant costs borne by Morocco’s public health and social protection systems.

He warned that vaping is spreading rapidly in Morocco, particularly in schools, universities and workplaces. He noted that some components of electronic cigarettes remain untaxed, which encourages consumption among young people.

The debate reflects the recurring tension between public health priorities and fiscal considerations. While the government emphasises maintaining tax balance and preventing smuggling, the opposition insists on using taxation as a deterrent to protect public health and slow the normalisation of vaping.

Image Source:h24info