Tobacco Institute of India urges Centre to reconsider cigarette tax hike

The Tobacco Institute of India warns that a significant excise duty hike on cigarettes will harm farmers, MSMEs, and retailers, while boosting the illicit trade. The new tax, effective February 1, adds to the GST, potentially increasing prices for 100 million smokers and mirroring Australia's "exploding black market" experience. The TII urges a review of the severe tax increase.