Japan Tobacco (JT) asked the Finance Ministry for permission to increase the domestic price of its Mevius premium brand and a half-dozen discount brands in April, the cigarette maker said.

An increase of JPY 10 to JPY 440 (EUR 3.45) for a 20-pack was requested for all 35 Mevius variants. Expiration of preferential tax treatment for what used to be called third-class cigarettes was one reason for requesting a JPY 30 increase for Wakaba, Echo, Uruma, Violet, Shinsei and Golden Bat, JT said.
Prices for the six discount brands currently range from JPY 210 to JPY 260.