The cost of cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco are set to increase in the UK, the Chancellor announced in his Budget on 11 March, iNews reported.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak confirmed he would be increasing cigarettes prices by 2 per cent above the inflation rate of 1.8 per cent. The duty rate on hand-rolling tobacco will rise by 6 per cent this year, the report said.
For example, a 20 pack of cigarettes at Tesco currently costs GBP 12.40 (USD 16) – after the increase, the price will rise to about GBP 12.65 (USD 16.30). This affects around 7.2 million smokers. According to the Office for National Statistics, UK has a smoking prevalence of 14.7 per cent.
The latest price increase is part of plans to discourage young people from smoking and reduce the number of smokers, the report said. Menthol cigarettes and rolling tobacco will be banned later this year in May. Skinny cigarettes will also be banned when the new EU law comes into force.