The Turkish government last Thursday raised the private consumption tax (ÖTV) on tobacco products, reports Today's Zaman.

The hikes, which includes tax hikes on mobile phones, cars and alocoholic products, came as measures to curb the imports of certain products, while also increasing revenues at a time of intensifying global risks.
Following the hike, Philsa Philip Morris, a consortium of US cigarette manufacturer Philip Morris and Turkish conglomerate Sabancı Holding, announced today to increase cigarette prices by between 28 and 44 per cent, according to Today's Zaman. (pi)