Govt. increases excise duty on liquor and cigarettes

The Government has raised excise duties on alcohol and cigarettes with immediate effect as of 3 October, raising the retail prices ahead of the Budget.

According to the Finance Ministry, the excise duty on 1,000 cigarettes of the Gold Leaf variety has been increased by Rs. 2,140 to Rs. 23,750, raising the price of a cigarette by Rs. 3.

Excise duty on molasses and coconut arrack has been increased by Rs. 110 to Rs. 1,595 per proof litre, increasing the prices of a bottle of arrack by Rs. 60.

The excise duty of country-made foreign liquor was raised by Rs. 160 to Rs. 1,860 per proof litre with the price of a bottle increased by Rs. 125.

The excise duty on soft beer with an alcohol strength less than 5% was increased by Rs. 40 per litre to Rs. 190 while the excise duty on beer with more than 5% alcohol was increased by Rs. 60 to Rs. 245.

Accordingly, the price of a 625 ml bottle of less than 5% alcohol beer will be increased by Rs. 25, while a bottle of more than 5% alcohol will be increased by Rs. 50.