Egypt Increases Tax On Cigarettes By 50 Percent

[HEPZIBAH]

reases Tax On Cigarettes By 50 Percent

-5644 (1)

In the midst of a surging wave of amendments undertaken by president Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, sales taxes on cigarettes are facing their third increase in a year according to a national decree published in the country’s official gazette on Saturday.

The 50 percent tax increase is one of many endeavours by the Egyptian government to boost the state revenue paralleled with a cut back in public spending in order to curb the budget shortfall which reached 12.8 percent of GDP in the fiscal year ended in June 2014.

Cigarettes are highly prevalent in Egypt, with 19 billion cigarettes smoked annually in the country. The country has been ranked as one of the top ten most consumers of tobacco per capita, according to the World Lung Foundation.

The WHO meanwhile reports that at least 30 percent of Egypt’s population, or 27 million Egyptians, smoke cigarettes.

Below is price chart of the different local and imported cigarette brands:

Marlboro, Dunhill, Merit, and Davidoff: from EGP 19.75 to EGP 25.5
L&M: from EGP 14.25 to EGP 19.25
Next: from EGP 13.75 to EGP 18.25
Kent: from EGP 19.75 to EGP 25.25
Rothmans: from EGP 14 to EGP 18.75
Viceroy: from EGP 11 to EGP 15.75
Cleopatra Soft Packs: from EGP 8 to EGP 12
Cleopatra Box: from EGP 8.5 to EGP 12.5
According to the tax increase which was issued in July 2014, alcohol saw a hefty 200 percent tax increase, which was not addressed in the latest decree.

Source: http://egyptianstreets.com/2015/02/22/e ... 0-percent/

[BENNU]

A few people in Luxor who used to praise the president have suddenly changed their minds today. The 50 % should be from tomorrow, they say, so there is panick in town.

[Robbo70]

I got back to the uk, finished my duty free and then stopped smoking. £9.50 a bloody packet!! No way. Maybe the same thing eill happen there and a few more egyptians will have a bit more spare cash and a few less health issues

[BENNU]

:look: £ 9.50!!???!

Is that the price in UK?

That is as much as it costs in Norway!!!

[Who2]

Cleopatra Soft Packs: from EGP 8 to EGP 12
Well I paid 80le for 200 yesterday so I might just become a tobacco smuggler..

[Dusak]

As a smoker I think that it is a wonderful decision, I'm now even more determined to eat less food to cover the price hike and put the cats on a diet as well. How we p*** poor expats have to suffer to save a country.

[BENNU]

How we p*** poor expats have to suffer to save a country.

Yes, but I am sure that the locals appreciate your sacrifice.

[Brian Yare]

As a smoker I think that it is a wonderful decision, I'm now even more determined to eat less food to cover the price hike and put the cats on a diet as well. How we p*** poor expats have to suffer to save a country.

Smoking and keeping pets is far less important than eating and feeding your family. Why is it that the very poorest in society seem to think that tobacco is important? Yes, it is a wonderful decision!

[Robbo70]

:look: £ 9.50!!???!

Is that the price in UK?

That is as much as it costs in Norway!!!

Yep bit of a shock to be honest ss ive only smoked egyptian ciggies for 3 years. I now get 4 weeks worth of patches for the cost of a prescription (£8.05) and hopfully save the NHS a few quid not having to treat me for smoking related cancers in a few years

[BENNU]

:

I got back to the uk, finished my duty free and then stopped smoking.

:bumps:

I now get 4 weeks worth of patches for the cost of a prescription (£8.05)

:rx:

[LovelyLadyLux]

No idea what the price of a ciggie might be but I wish the gov't would tax them out of existence. Such a terrible toll they take on health.

[Luxor Pharoahs]

The easiest way of raising revenue, is hat what DC and the President was taking about last week on the phone?

[Zooropa]

As a smoker I think that it is a wonderful decision, I'm now even more determined to eat less food to cover the price hike and put the cats on a diet as well. How we p*** poor expats have to suffer to save a country.

Smoking and keeping pets is far less important than eating and feeding your family. Why is it that the very poorest in society seem to think that tobacco is important? Yes, it is a wonderful decision!

Its called addiction, I wouldn't recommend it.

[Zooropa]

Are we about to see another dig by the fag haters with BY leading the charge?

The truth is most of us are guilty of not looking after ourselves to the extent that is recommended, its just a vicious circle of people with one shortcoming wagging their judgemental finger at someone else's shortcoming.

Drinkers having a go at people who tan themselves into skin cancer, tanners having a go at couch potatoes, couch potatoes having a go at drug users, drug users having a go at fat people, fat people having a go at smokers, smokers having a go at drinkers, drinkers having a go at.......

[Who2]

Let's be honest, fags are cheap as chips here, but have a heart attack and forget it!
I have 2'' inches of stainless steel in my chest that cost me nothing but in reality costs 40,000le go tell that to an Egyptian that pays fu**all for a packet of fags, get a job pay the tax or die It's not rocket science is it ?….If one wants the benefits the money has to come from somewhere….

[Dusak]

They seem to be undecided as to what the correct charge is. I read mine, L&M Blue, had increased to 190Le a sleeve, but got charged 175 yesterday. That means I can eat heartily this week with the saving. But still represents an extra 140Le [four sleeves] into the countries coffers to help lessen the debt. Makes one feel really good to puff.

[carrie]

Just been out and bought Rothman 15le, not complaining up to me whether I smoke or not.

[Bullet Magnet]

To think, back on 2006, Cleopatra white, soft pack 1.5LE...

[Dusak]

Just been out and bought Rothman 15le, not complaining up to me whether I smoke or not.

Well I am complaining. Yesterday I discovered that the new legal price is 160Le per sleeve for L&M Blue. So my feelings of euphoria yesterday have been cut short knowing that I was done. Went back to the seller to give him a short conversation concerning his sudden increase in personal wealth, all to no avail as he just stood there with his hands slightly raised in that all to common stance that they adopt here when been caught out. Although in this case, it was I that was caught out.

[Brian Yare]

Up at the Marsam this evening for the (excellent) lecture on Cats in Ancient Egypt I occupied a free table near to the farmland. This was wonderful until forum members joined me, all puffing away as if there were no tomorrow. Maybe there isn't for them. You all know that if you choose to sit with me you should respect my wish, as the original occupier of the table with no ash-tray, to not smoke in my presence. I had an uncomfortable 90 minutes or so, If you wish to kill yourselves, please do it on another table. Non-smokers are of course welcome to join me anywhere.

The 50% increase in price seems not to have reduced the number smoking, so maybe another 50% increase is justified soon. At least the tax on tobacco products is easily captured and put into central government funds.