The prices of disposable e-cigarettes can go from 25–30 zł to 75–100 zł. The increases have sparked social discontent and, as the Foundation study shows, the Good Government has serious political consequences. For any young voters and residents of large cities, the conventional electorate of Rafał Trzaskowski, this was a signal for opposition.
Increase in excise duties and political consequences
Jarosław Neneman announced that he would not include a cartridge excise duty, changed the front during the legislative process. Not only liquids but besides devices were taxed. For many e-cigarette users, which are alternatives to conventional smoking, this price change is simply a real burden on the home budget. Neneman's fresh fiscal policy negatively affects mainly unaffluent consumers, who now have importantly limited access to a little harmful alternative.
In the study of the Good Government Foundation we learn about the dependence of excise increases with weakening of the presidential run of Rafał Trzaskowski. The dramatic emergence in prices outraged any of the electorate, exacerbating social sentiment and political support. According to the report, the decline in support for Trzaskowski was recorded in key urban regions, where e-cigarettes are peculiarly popular.
How did Rafał Trzaskowski scare the young away?
For any young audiences, the Civic Platform has become a "party of embarrassment". People aged 18-29 represent about 15 percent of the electorate. On average, Rafał Trzaskowski enjoyed 20% of their support. The second circular polls between Trzaskowski and Nawrocki showed a minimal advantage of Trzaskowski (48 percent vs 46 percent in February, 49 percent vs 47 percent in March), but among the young voters, Nawrocki consistently led (55 percent vs 45 percent in February, 57 percent vs 43 percent in March).
"Trzaskowski, despite attempts to build a message based on democratic values, failed to mobilise young people, which resulted from the perception of his run as besides general and detached from young people's priorities" - reads the report. These priorities include economical and freedom topics, which favored Sławomir Mentzen, whose voters then sailed to Karol Nawrocki.
According to statistic "The State of the Young 2025 – a report" 60% of young men and 45% of young women opposed regulations limiting their lifestyle, specified as increases in excise duties and prices of their products.
"I would most likely think about it, although I would look for ways to buy cheaper somewhere," said 1 of the respondents on the subject, erstwhile asked about the taxation increase.
Dear e-cigarettes
E-cigarettes were expected to be a cheaper and healthier alternative. Now, in the face of drastic increases, they become a luxury. The task to increase the budget gross has proved to have completely unexpected consequences.
The excise work on liquids will grow avalanchely. From 0.96 PLN/ml from 1 July 2025, to 1.44 PLN/ml, to 1.80 PLN/ml in subsequent years.
Was it a valuable investment in the budget if he lost the vote of the Trzaskowski electorate?
Source: Good Government Foundation.
