During a debate in Luxembourg's Chamber of Deputies, members of the Green Party and the LSAP criticised the government's inconsistent policies on health and tobacco pricing, highlighting the disparity between Luxembourg's low cigarette costs and those of neighbouring countries.

The Green Party's call for a debate in the Chamber of Deputies on Tuesday highlighted concerns regarding the inconsistency in government policies around health and the pricing of tobacco products. Both the Green Party and the Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party (LSAP) advocate for higher tobacco prices as a means to promote public health.

"What Gilles Roth the MP said for ten years in opposition and what he is doing today as Minister of Finance is inconsistent."

The man who said this in the Chamber of Deputies on Tuesday was none other than Gilles Roth himself, while discussing the inconsistency of policies on health and the price of products containing tobacco.

LSAP MP and former Minister of Health Mars di Bartolomeo made it clear from the outset that his criticism was not aimed solely at the current government and that this is a contradiction that has existed across all governments to date. He pointed out the contradiction inherent in Luxembourg's approach to tobacco regulation, simultaneously combatting tobacco abuse while tacitly endorsing its consumption.

Bartolomeo underscored the stark price differential for cigarettes across neighbouring countries, with Luxembourg's prices (€5 for a packet of 20 cigarettes) significantly lower than those in France (€11-€12), Belgium (€7.5-€8), and Germany (similar to Belgium). He argued that incremental price increases would have minimal impact on public health outcomes, labelling them as "false advertising" that primarily serve to bolster government revenue rather than improve public well-being.

Both the LSAP and the Green Party expressed regret over their inability to enact substantial tobacco price increases during their time in government.

Green Party MP François Bausch addressed Minister of Finance Gilles Roth of the Christian Social People's Party (CSV), highlighting the need for policy consistency and urging action to align with previously advocated positions. Bausch called on the current government to implement measures in line with their previous commitments, "Otherwise you can write on the budget: 'This budget is causing serious health problems'."

Minister Roth reiterated his stance on the matter, emphasising the government's reliance on excise duties collected from tobacco sales, which amount to approximately €1 billion annually. Roth acknowledged the significant revenue generated from these duties, a figure he himself had characterised a year and a half ago as "absolutely crazy" compared to other budget allocations. He candidly admitted the inconsistency between his past statements and current policy decisions:

"Yes, I'm telling you straight out: what we are doing is inconsistent, just as what MP Roth said and the policy he is now pushing as Minister of Finance, as a member of this government, is inconsistent. I stand by that, and I say it honestly."

The Democratic Party (DP), a member of both the current and previous coalitions, argued for increased prevention efforts, while stressing that smokers should not be stigmatised.