EU close to full backing from members on new tobacco tax

BRUSSELS, Nov 9 (Reuters) - The European Union is close to full agreement for the minimum taxation of tobacco products, seen as a key new revenue stream, said Irish finance minister Simon Harris on Monday.

Harris said 26 out of 27 EU member states backed the taxation proposal so far. He added only Malta was not giving its support at present. Unanimity among all 27 EU member states is required before the EU's tobacco tax scheme can be implemented.

"There is a public health emergency in the EU when it comes to nicotine patches, vaping, tobacco," Harris said at a news conference.

(Reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta; Editing by Chris Reese)