Comments on Draft Regulation (Excise Tax on Coffee and Non-alcoholic Drinks)

Comments on Draft Regulation (Excise Tax on Coffee and Non-alcoholic Drinks)

Selective taxes increase industry costs, encourage cross-border shopping, and undermine market stability, without clear public health benefits.

The American Chamber of Commerce in Croatia (AmCham) believes that the newly introduced taxation of soft drinks and energy drinks, aimed at reducing obesity and improving public health, will not achieve the intended results and may create negative economic consequences. AmCham advocates for a comprehensive approach to tackling obesity through education, public health campaigns, and partnerships between institutions and industry, while also recommending the removal of fixed tax burdens and postponing the regulation to ensure greater business predictability.