Tobacco tax to raise more than hospital charge
The replacement of a 25-euro admission fee for public hospitals with an additional tax on tobacco products is expected to raise 48 million euros in 2014, or 3 million euros more than that foreseen from the patient fee, a report from the State General Accounting Office said on Friday.
The amendment for replacing the controversial admission fee with a tobacco tax, however, was withdrawn from Parliament on Friday after Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras took exception to the exemption from the tax of cigars and cigarillos. The amendment will be redrafted and submitted on Monday.
