Risk of cardiovascular disease/ EU aims for tax plan for processed foods and alcoholic beverages

2025-11-14 20:07:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Risk of cardiovascular disease/ EU aims for tax plan for processed foods and

The European Commission is aiming for EU-wide taxes on processed foods and alcoholic beverages by 2026, according to a first draft of the Cardiovascular Health Plan.

In December, the Commission will unveil the EU's first dedicated plan to address its biggest health burden, cardiovascular diseases. Health Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi will structure the plan around three "pillars": prevention, early detection and screening, and treatment and care.

The plan has been long-awaited as a follow-up to the Commission's previous European Beating Cancer Plan and will be launched alongside the EU's upcoming Biotechnology Act and a review of its medical device rules.

The draft notes that the bloc has not done enough to prevent risk factors, specifically alcohol, tobacco and new nicotine products, as well as ultra-processed foods, even though prevention is described as the most cost-effective way to address heart disease.

Várhelyi wants to implement "EU-wide taxes on highly processed foods, high in fat, sugar and salt, as well as alcoholic beverages in 2026."

The EU executive is also looking to propose a review of tobacco control rules by 2027, with the aim of reducing tobacco use among adults to below 5% by 2040.

The Commission also wants stronger action on vaccination targets and reducing inequalities in women's health.

The first draft specified that it has the following objectives until 2035:

A 20% reduction in cardiovascular mortality

Diagnosis and control rate of 70% for hypertension

80% diagnosis and control rate for diabetes and obesity

To meet these goals, the Commission will launch a project called "EU Cares for Your Heart", designed to support a "lifelong, personalised and digitally enabled approach". The flagship initiative will help national governments develop plans for cardiovascular disease (CVD) by 2027. /CNA