Prices for cigarettes produced by Bulgaria's Bulgartabac Holding are to increase by 26 per cent starting in January due to higher excise duty, the company's managing director, Korneliya Ninova, recently announced.

Thus the most popular Victory packs will now cost BGN 3.45 (EUR 1.76) instead of the current BGN 2.75. Melnik will be the cheapest brand at BGN 2.90.
As of 1 January the excise duty on cigarettes will go up from 37 BGN (EUR 19) per 1,000 pieces plus 35 per cent of the retail price to 40.50 BGN per 1,000 pieces plus 42 per cent of the retail price.
Cigarette maker Bulgartabac registered a 51-per-cent increase in sales revenue in the first nine months of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. (pi)