Japan Tobacco (JT) has asked the government to approve price increases of JPY 30 (EUR 0.25) per pack for six former third-class brands to keep pace with rising excise duty, the company said.
Third-class cigarettes were taxed at about half the normal rate. The category was abolished last April under a plan to raise the excise duty in stages through April 2019. This April the duty on former third-class cigarettes will increase JPY 1 per stick, JT said. Wakaba, Echo and Golden Bat are among the brands for which the Finance Ministry has been asked to approve price increases.
A 20-pack of Wakaba would rise from JPY 290 to JPY 320 on 1 April and Golden Bat from 260 to JPY 290. Premium cigarettes range in price from JPY 420 to JPY 500.
Share: