Finland to Push for Higher EU Alcohol Taxes

In an interview with the Finnish News Agency, Heinäluoma said that raising the minimum tax within the EU would give Finland more leeway to raise it own taxes on alcohol. Without agreement on this issue, an increase in taxation here would lead to a growth in imports.

The Finance Minister stated that there is backing for increases among the other Nordic countries. However, he noted that Finland would not even attempt to touch the issue of the taxation of wines, as the major wine producing countries would not agree to a tax rise.

Heinäluoma also said that no tax relief on fuels is in sight despite high oil prices. He said that in this matter, all the EU finance ministers are presenting a united front.