Tobacco harm reduction and the upcoming Tax Directive
Dear Permanent Representation of Romania 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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Tax Directive
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Sent request to Permanent Representation of Romania to the EU again, using a new contact address.
Dear Mr. Hobma,
Thank you for your request submitted under Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001
regarding public access to documents of the European Parliament, the
Council and the Commission. It was registered under number 972/10.02.2026.
We would like to inform you that only the aforementioned institutions of
the European Union fall within the scope of Regulation 1049/2001. The
legislation applicable to the diplomatic activity of the Permanent
Representations of EU member states is the relevant national legislation.
In line with the subject matter of your request, it has been forwarded to
the competent Romanian authorities. Any further handling of the request
depends on their assessment.
Best regards,
Office RPRO
The Office of the Permanent Representative
Le Secrétariat du Représentant Permanent
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