The Ministry of Health intends to increase the price of cigarettes to 146

Health Minister Olga Golodets proposed to raise excise taxes on tobacco in 11 times, then the average price of a pack of cigarettes will increase by five times. Now the excise tax on cigarettes is 360 rubles for a thousand pieces. In 2013 it is planned to increase up to 1040 rubles, in 2014 - to two thousand rubles, in 2015 - to four thousand, according to RBC.

Specialists of the Ministry calculated that thanks to these measures, the demand for tobacco will be reduced by 10% per year. If this year's consumption of cigarettes is 19 billion packs, by 2015 it should be reduced to 13, 86 billion packs. At the same time, budget revenues will increase due to the increase in excise duties. In 2011, the sale of tobacco brought into the state budget 139, 5 billion rubles, and in 2015, according to forecasts, it will have to be replenished more than one trillion rubles.

According to the forecast of the International Centre for Tax and Investment, in 2018 the average cost of a pack of cigarettes is expected to grow nearly five times - up to 146 rubles. The level of illegal trade could grow to 35%.

Earlier, the Ministry of Finance also proposed a draft law on excise rates for the year 2013-2015. Treasury proposal less radical - it proposes to increase excise taxes on tobacco to 1,250 rubles in 2015.





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