Shops run out of cigarettes due to looming tax increase

Some premium brands of cigarettes have found themselves in short supply in many Slovak stores. The reason behind this situation is the upcoming increase in prices, which will reflect the increased tax on tobacco products. Based on the old taxes, a pack of branded cigarettes cost around €3.20. The new tax stamps on cigarette packs will increase the price of one pack by as much as 10 to 20 cents. Smokers have therefore bought out nearly all the cigarette packages bearing the old tax stamps, while shopkeepers are still waiting for their new supplies. Moreover, the shopkeepers still do not know when the more expensive cigarettes are supposed to be distributed. According to the Finance Ministry's spokeswoman, Alexandra Gogová, the ministry is not responsible for the supply of cigarettes on the market. According to the European Statistical Office, an average Slovak smoker smokes around 12.5 cigarettes per day. In total there is approximately 1.5 million people smoking in Slovakia. Due to the higher taxes, this year the Slovak Treasury is expected to collect by €32.3 million more. Altogether in 2017, the state should get from the tax on tobacco products around €665 million.