“We’re concerned and under pressure”, Tobacco workers call on the EU to plan a Just Transition in the sector with full trade union involvement

"We're concerned and under pressure", Tobacco workers call on the EU to plan a Just Transition in the sector with full trade union involvement

Jan 15, 2026| Featured, Food, Press release

As the European tobacco sector undergoes rapid transformation driven by health regulation, digitalisation, automation and outsourcing, EFFAT today urges EU policymakers and companies to commit to a just transition that protects workers, quality jobs and social rights.

Concluding the project "Shaping a Just Transition for the Workforce in the Tobacco Sector", EFFAT warned that without anticipation of change, strong social dialogue and collective bargaining, thousands of workers risk being left behind by the sector's triple transition: health, digital and environmental.

"This is not a debate about health objectives, which we fully respect, but about people's future, jobs and livelihoods," said EFFAT General Secretary. "The new tax increases proposed by the Commission for the tobacco sector fail to take into account their potential impact on jobs. Any policy decision must be based on detailed impact assessments, anticipation of change, and the meaningful involvement of social partners in the governance of the transition. All this is missing when it comes to tobacco. We call on the Commission to immediately open a table with social partners in the tobacco industry to discuss its plans".

Workers' voices must be heard

Workers present at the conference expressed deep concern about the future of the sector. In regions where tobacco plants sustain entire local economies, job losses threaten both livelihoods and communities. Workers reported growing insecurity, rising stress and an inability to plan their future.

EFFAT also highlighted concerns about the link between rising taxation and illicit trade. In several Member States, including France, near to half of consumption already comes from illegal markets, undermining public revenues and legitimate jobs, without clear evidence that consumption is reduced.

"A transition that ignores social consequences is not a successful transition," said Wiebke Warneck, Food, Drink& Tobacco Political Secretary. " If the Commission is serious about creating and maintaining Quality Jobs, Europe must move to evidence-based policies."

Clear demands and social partners' commitment

At the conference, trade unions and employers in the tobacco sector confirmed their intention to work towards establishing a structured EU-level social dialogue, allowing social partners to jointly anticipate change and shape the future of the sector.

"The transition is already happening," concluded Wiebke Warneck, EFFAT Food, Drink and Tobacco Political Secretary. "The choice is whether it will be chaotic and unjust - or planned, fair and negotiated. Workers must have a future in Europe's tobacco sector, and that future must be shaped with them, not without them."

For more information:
Wiebke Warneck, EFFAT Food, Drink & Tobacco Political Secretary

The project 'Shaping a Just Transition for the Workforce in the Tobacco Sector' - 101143436 - is co-funded by the European Union.