Cigarette prices to go up in the next budget

4 November 2021 01:10 pm - 17 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The price of cigarettes is to be increased after the next budget for the year 2022, National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) Chairman, Dr. Samadhi Rajapaksa said.

Addressing a news briefing, he said the price hike will come into effect as a result of the price formula for cigarettes prepared by the Authority.

“It is for the first in the history that a price formula has been put forward in a bid to discourage smoking,” he said.

Accordingly, Dr. Rajapaksa stated that the price of a cigarette would be increased by Rs. 5 while it will be increased by Rs. 20 in another five years.

“The price formula prepared by us has been handed over to the Health Minister and is to be presented to the Cabinet,” he underlined.

“Over 60 individuals die of smoking in a day while we lose 22,000 lives in a year,” he added. (Sheain Fernandopulle)

Comments - 17

Lion Thursday, 04 November 2021 01:25 PM

This is stupid no one can stop smoking, this health factor is a ploy to increase the price to get more revenue to the government.

joshua Thursday, 04 November 2021 01:31 PM

an innovative idea by new Finance Minister. Ha haa

Ramon Alwis Thursday, 04 November 2021 01:42 PM

Sir, Try to research and find out how many people die a day from starvation due to this non performing Govt

roni Thursday, 04 November 2021 02:20 PM

What a loss to the government coffers when smokers call it a day, as this is one of the two avenues of revenue, the other been alcohol. Not surprising it was and is the finance minsters only trumps.

Ahmed Thursday, 04 November 2021 02:29 PM

Why dont you completely ban cigarettes if you really think people will die from it ?

mp Thursday, 04 November 2021 02:51 PM

Funny. What is Rs. 5/ when compared with price increase of other essential commodities? Formula seems to have not been considered.

Samson Thursday, 04 November 2021 04:25 PM

If cigarettes kill so many people ban it completely.

madawal Thursday, 04 November 2021 05:16 PM

Alwis, FYI, 250 people died in matter of minutes due to high performance government 2010-2015

Sampath Friday, 05 November 2021 05:38 AM

When you have nothing to offer, these idiots think increasing taxes as the only solution.

Philip de silva Friday, 05 November 2021 06:26 AM

Increase whatever

Lawry Friday, 05 November 2021 07:12 AM

You must tell the female folk of this country as to how much a single cigarette costs. Is it Rs.50 each? It eats into the family budget. I stopped smoking 10 years ago.

sisira wickramarathne Friday, 05 November 2021 07:59 AM

insatiable

Terrence Friday, 05 November 2021 09:03 AM

Beedis and cigars are the alternatives

Tupac Shakur Friday, 05 November 2021 10:46 AM

Wow Great!! Gov can pay the loans

Smoke Friday, 05 November 2021 07:58 PM

And people hate 'Tax Collectors'!!!

Mohan Friday, 05 November 2021 08:09 PM

If they are so worried about the health of smokers, why don't they ban smoking?

Smoke Saturday, 06 November 2021 07:28 AM

Cigarette- the whipping-boy of any Govt.!!!

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Cigarette prices to go up in the next budget

Comments - 17

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