Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Al-Masry Al-Youm
Published on 2024-04-04 12:01:00
The Managing Director of the Eastern Company for Tobacco, Hani Aman, recently announced that the company is considering raising cigarette prices below the maximum allowed limit. Aman disclosed that Cleopatra cigarettes’ prices have been increased to LE 34.7 from LE 31, with an excise tax of LE 4.5 per pack. Additionally, the prices of mid-range cigarettes have also been raised from LE 34.8 to LE 50.40.
This surge in cigarette prices in Egypt is primarily attributed to the rise in the dollar exchange rate. Aman highlighted the increase from LE 31 in government banks to LE 47 in both government and private banks as a significant factor. He advocated for opening the import of lower class cigarettes to promote competition and eliminate monopoly, benefiting consumers.
In February, Philip Morris Egypt also raised the prices of its cigarette products for the second time in three months, with rates ranging from LE 8-11 per pack. Moreover, in November 2023, the Egyptian government amended some provisions of the Value Added Tax Law on Cigarettes (Law No. 67 of 2016). These amendments included allowing an annual increase of about 12% in official cigarette prices and increasing taxes on cigarettes by 12% annually for five years.
As of Thursday, cigarette prices in Egypt were as follows:
– Cleopatra Box (10 cigarettes): 22 Egyptian pounds
– Cleopatra (20 cigarettes): 30 Egyptian pounds
– Mondial: 30 Egyptian pounds
– Belmont: 30 Egyptian pounds
– Boston: 30 Egyptian pounds
– Viceroy: 50 Egyptian pounds
– Pall Mall: 50 Egyptian pounds
For Winston Cigarettes:
– Winston Red: 50 Egyptian pounds
– Winston Blue: 50 Egyptian pounds
– Winston Silver: 50 Egyptian pounds
– Winston Caster: 50 Egyptian pounds
– Winston Mint: 52 Egyptian pounds
– Camel Yellow: 57 Egyptian pounds
– Camel Blue: 57 Egyptian pounds
– Activit: 60 Egyptian pounds
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), smoking claims over 120,000 lives in Egypt annually. The WHO has urged the Egyptian government to take stricter measures to reduce smoking, such as increasing cigarette taxes and implementing bans on smoking in public places. The government has been steadily raising taxes on cigarettes in recent years as part of its efforts to deter smoking.
In conclusion, the ongoing increase in cigarette prices in Egypt reflects global economic trends and government policies aimed at curbing smoking rates for public health and economic reasons.
Read Original article on Egypt Independent
