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Pack Of Cigarettes Going Up In Price From 6pm Tonight

Pack Of Cigarettes Going Up In Price From 6pm Tonight

Smokers will be forking a lot more for their cigarettes after today.

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

The price of a pack of cigarettes is set to go up later today as Rishi Sunak introduces a tobacco tax increase.

From 6pm tonight (27 October), smokers of the more expensive brands will need to fork out a whopping £13.60 for a 20-pack - a rise of up to 88p - while the cheaper 20-packs will go up by 63p to £9.73, the Mirror reports.

Alamy

The price of rolling tobacco will also see a similar rise, with a 30g bag costing £9.02, an increase of 89p.

The Chancellor announced today the duty rates on all tobacco products will go from RPI inflation plus two percent, while hand-rolling tobacco will go up by RPI plus six percent.

The tax increases are typically introduced on the same day as the Budget is announced to avoid people bulk buying.

Tobacco duty serves two purposes - to encourage people to quit smoking and to bring in money for the Government.

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It was thought an increase in tobacco tax was on the cards after it was left out of the spring Budget.

It was raised twice last year.

The tax hike follows last year's decision to ban menthol and flavoured cigarette in an attempt to cut down smoking.

Elsewhere in the Budget, Sunak announced UK's 'biggest cut to beer duty in 50 years'.

Sunak revealed that a draught relief will apply a lower rate of duty on draught beer and cider, cutting the tax by five percent on drinks served from draught containers over 40 litres and bringing the price of a pint down by 3p.

Announcing the new rules, Sunak said: "This is not temporary, it's long term investment in British pubs of £100 million a year, and a permanent cut in the cost of a pint of 3p."

He added: "That's the biggest cut to cider duty since 1923.

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"The biggest cut to fruit ciders in a generation. The biggest cut to beer duty for 50 years."

The Chancellor said he was 'radically' simplifying alcohol duty by introducing a system designed around the principle of 'the stronger the drink, the higher the rate', aimed at tackling problem drinking.

The number of duty rates will be cut from 15 to six, ending the 'irrational' 28 percent duty premium on sparkling wines and fruit ciders.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: UK News, Politics