Cigarettes will become considerably more expensive: from tomorrow excise duty will increase by 1.22 euros and a pack will cost an average of 9 euros. However, previous research has shown that to deter smokers, a pack of cigarettes should cost at least 60 euros. Do you think that packs of cigarettes should also cost a lot more to make a difference?
Smokers have to dig deeper into their pockets, because tomorrow the price of a pack of cigarettes will go up considerably. In a year’s time, the excise duty will be increased again by 1.22 euros: the same parcel will then cost an average of 10 euros. The increase in excise duty is intended to reduce the number of smokers. Research shows that 80 percent of all smokers want to quit. In this way, State Secretary Maarten van Ooijen (Public Health) hopes to support those people as much as possible.
Money
Still, it turns out research that money hardly plays a role. Of the 1500 smokers surveyed, a third thought it was no problem to pay 6 euros per cigarette or 4 euros per gram of rolling tobacco. According to the researchers, it indicates that addicted smokers are difficult to convince.
The increase in the tax on tobacco is an agreement in the coalition agreement. Government policy is aimed at ensuring that no young person starts smoking by 2040.
Should you get the urge to hoard right now? It is not necessary! There is a good chance that you will not immediately notice the price increase. Retailers can still use up their old stocks until June 1, 2023. It therefore depends on the brand and the point of sale when you will pay the new price.