Alcohol and cigarette price rises
Thursday, 13 Mar 2008 10:03
A pack of 20 cigarettes will rise by 11p, Alistair Darling said
Health campaigners have welcomed increases in the price of alcohol and tobacco, saying the move should help to save lives.
But many have expressed disappointment that the price hikes, announced in Alistair Darling's first Budget on March 12th, are not higher.
The chancellor said a pack of 20 cigarettes will rise by 11p and five cigars by 4p.
He also announced that the five per cent reduced rate of value added tax on smoking cessation products will continue beyond June 30th this year.
From midnight on Sunday March 16th alcohol duty rates will increase by six per cent above the rate of inflation.
Beer will rise by 4p a pint, cider by 3p a litre, wine by 14p a bottle and spirits by 55p a bottle.
The Budget announcements follow campaigns from health groups urging the government to cut rates of smoking and binge drinking in the UK.
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