Indian Govt To Give Big Shock To Smokers?

Smoking could increase stress, instead of relieving tension as the Centre has reportedly decided to increase the excise on cigarettes and cigarette products. With the clearance of the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025, cigarette prices are set to soar in the country.

The bill revises duties on a range of tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco and hookah.

According to the amendment, cigarette duties would spike from Rs 200-735 per 1,000 sticks to Rs 2,700-11,000 depending on type and length.

Similarly, duties on chewing tobacco will quadruple from 25% to 100%, hookah tobacco will increase from 25% to 40% while smoking mixtures for pipes will witness a hike up to fivefold, from 60% to 325%. It is being estimated that a cigarette priced at Rs 18 now could go up to Rs 72 soon.

The Parliament passed the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill 2025, with the Rajya Sabha approving the legislation and sending it back to the Lok Sabha.

Many felt that the steep hike in the price would detest reduce the number of smokers in India.