Cigarette prices hiked by Dh1 in UAE

Tobacco dealers raised cigarette prices by Dh1 per packet in line with a recent government decision to hike tobacco prices in a bid to cut consumption. 

Cigarette packets which had been sold for Dh8 are now sold for Dh9 and those which had been priced at Dh9 now cost Dh10. All other cigarette brands also became costlier. 

According to Alkhaleej newspaper, groceries and other shopping outlets have been told by suppliers to raise prices by Dh1 per box from Tuesday. 

“Groceries and other shops have received letters and list prices from the main suppliers to show to government inspectors in case they were asked about the reasons for raising their prices,” the Arabic language daily said. 

The UAE and other Gulf states have hiked the prices of all types of tobacco and cigarettes many times over the past years in a coordinated effort to curb consumption. 

Despite the increase, cigarette prices in the UAE remained far below those in most European countries, mainly Britain where one box costs nearly Dh30.

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