New excise duty on tobacco products: Cigarette prices to increase up to Rs 55 per pack

Cigarette prices have surged by Rs 22-25 per pack of 10 following a new excise duty regime, the first tax hike in seven years. This move aligns India’s tobacco taxation with global health standards. Premium cigarettes will see significant price increases, with distributors anticipating new MRPs from Monday. Concerns about smuggling and counterfeit products are rising.