Tobacco harm reduction and the upcoming Tax Directive
Dear Permanent Representation of Italy to the EU,
Under the right of access to documents in the EU treaties, as developed in Regulation 1049/2001, I am requesting access to documents:
1: … in which tobacco ‘harm reduction’ is discussed or mentioned, in relation to regulation, taxation, public health impact and the policy positioning of alternative tobacco products (including but not limited to: Electronic cigarettes / vaping products, heated tobacco products, nicotine pouches and other non-combustible nicotine products.)
2: …relating to interactions or communications between representatives or officials of the Permanent Representation, and tobacco or nicotine companies (including but not limited to Philip Morris International, British American Tobacco, Japan Tobacco International, Imperial Brands and JUUL), and industry-funded or industry-linked organisations and lobby groups (including but not limited to Tobacco Europe, MOHRE, CoeHAR, Global Action to End Smoking).
3: … relating to the revision, evaluation, or discussion of the EU Tobacco Tax Directive (TTD / TED), including internal analyses, policy notes or instructions; documents and communications on differentiated tax treatments or transitional arrangements for novel or alternative nicotine products; communications with the European Commission, Council Secretariat, Coreper, or other Member States; and correspondence with external stakeholders and experts.
This request concerns documents held by the authority, irrespective of their authorship or origin, and includes, in particular: correspondence (including incoming and outgoing emails and attachments), letters and position papers, meeting-related documents (agendas, minutes, briefings), and documents exchanged with third parties - whether formal or informal.
My request concerns documents from the period 1 January 2022 to 11 January 2026.
If parts of the requested documents are covered by exceptions under Regulation 1049/2001, I kindly ask for partial access to be granted to the remaining parts, in line with the principle of maximum transparency. I am also open to receiving the documents in electronic format.
Thank you for your consideration of this request.
Yours sincerely,
Marcel Hobma
Address: Overhoeksplein 2, 1031 KS Amsterdam
Dear Mr. Hobma,
we have received your request for access which will be assessed in accordance with the applicable Italian legislation (https://www.esteri.it/en/trasparenza_com...). In order to process it, we kindly request you to identify yourself by sending us a copy of your identity document.
Kind regards,
Permanent Representation of Italy to the EU
Permanent Representation of Italy to the European Union
Rue du Marteau, 9 – 1000 Bruxelles
italiaue.esteri.it
-----Messaggio originale-----
Da: Marcel Hobma <[FOI #16734 email]>
Inviato: lunedì 12 gennaio 2026 15:10
A: RPUE IT - Rappresentante Permanente <[Permanent Representation of Italy to the EU request email]>
Oggetto: access to documents request - Tobacco harm reduction and the upcoming Tax Directive
MITTENTE ESTERNO. Prestare attenzione nell'apertura di eventuali link e/o allegati.
Dear Permanent Representation of Italy to the EU,
Under the right of access to documents in the EU treaties, as developed in Regulation 1049/2001, I am requesting access to documents:
1: … in which tobacco ‘harm reduction’ is discussed or mentioned, in relation to regulation, taxation, public health impact and the policy positioning of alternative tobacco products (including but not limited to: Electronic cigarettes / vaping products, heated tobacco products, nicotine pouches and other non-combustible nicotine products.)
2: …relating to interactions or communications between representatives or officials of the Permanent Representation, and tobacco or nicotine companies (including but not limited to Philip Morris International, British American Tobacco, Japan Tobacco International, Imperial Brands and JUUL), and industry-funded or industry-linked organisations and lobby groups (including but not limited to Tobacco Europe, MOHRE, CoeHAR, Global Action to End Smoking).
3: … relating to the revision, evaluation, or discussion of the EU Tobacco Tax Directive (TTD / TED), including internal analyses, policy notes or instructions; documents and communications on differentiated tax treatments or transitional arrangements for novel or alternative nicotine products; communications with the European Commission, Council Secretariat, Coreper, or other Member States; and correspondence with external stakeholders and experts.
This request concerns documents held by the authority, irrespective of their authorship or origin, and includes, in particular: correspondence (including incoming and outgoing emails and attachments), letters and position papers, meeting-related documents (agendas, minutes, briefings), and documents exchanged with third parties - whether formal or informal.
My request concerns documents from the period 1 January 2022 to 11 January 2026.
If parts of the requested documents are covered by exceptions under Regulation 1049/2001, I kindly ask for partial access to be granted to the remaining parts, in line with the principle of maximum transparency. I am also open to receiving the documents in electronic format.
Thank you for your consideration of this request.
Yours sincerely,
Marcel Hobma
Address: Overhoeksplein 2, 1031 KS Amsterdam
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Dear RPUE IT - Giuridico Contenzioso,
Thank you for your reply and for confirming receipt of my request for access to documents.
I take note of your request to identify myself by providing a copy of an identity document, in accordance with the applicable Italian legislation. I will provide the requested identification without delay via a separate message sent directly to the appropriate contact address of the Permanent Representation (per mail: [email address]), making explicit reference to this ongoing access-to-documents request.
Please let me know if you require any additional information from my side at this stage.
Kind regards,
Marcel Hobma