Italy to increase tobacco prices in 2023

Dec.27.2022
Italian tobacco products will face a price hike in 2023 due to tax changes, affecting cigarette and e-cigarette users.

Smokers in Italy received some bad news as tobacco products will experience a price hike in 2023. The reason for this is due to a revision included in the 2023 budget law, which aims to reshuffle consumption taxes between different products through changes in taxes.

 

As we mentioned earlier, tobacco product users can expect to see a hike in the prices of their vice in 2023. According to the latest developments, a provision increasing the specific consumption tax on cigarettes has been approved by the executive branch led by President Meloni in the 2023 Budget Act. Starting January 1st, 2023, each pack of cigarettes will see a price increase of €0.20 (approximately RMB 1.48), with varying degrees of increment depending on the brand.

 

But that's not all. In 2024, the increase in cigarette prices will continue, with an additional raise of 0.10 or 0.15 euros after the growth in 2023. In other words, starting in 2024, cigarettes may cost an extra 35 cents (about 2.24 yuan) per pack.

 

In 2023, the growth is not only targeted at cigarette users, but also affects those who use electronic cigarettes, such as heated tobacco. However, for this type of cigarette, the increase in price is relatively small, with non-nicotine cigarettes costing approximately 0.08 euros per milliliter (about 0.59 yuan), while nicotine-containing cigarettes will rise to 0.13 euros (about 0.96 yuan).

 

The government's recent estimate projects that Italy could collect at least 100 million euros annually as the price of cigarettes and tobacco is set to increase by 2023.

 

It has been announced that cigarettes and tobacco will increase in price in 2023, but what will their prices be in 2021, with the introduction of the euro? The official website of the State Monopoly Agency for Customs and Excise has released a list of cigarette prices, including all brands available to the public, updated as of November 24th of this year. We can see that in 2022, a pack of cigarettes will cost between 4.8 and 6 euros.

 

Considering the rise in cigarette and tobacco prices in 2023, lower-priced cigarette packs may need to cost 5 euros, while higher-priced packs could even cost 6.20 euros. But what were cigarette prices in 2001? At that time, MS cost 2.17 euros, Camel increased to 2.48 euros, and the most popular brand, Marlboro, was priced at 3 euros. In short, over the last 20 years, cigarette prices have increased by more than 2 euros.

 

Let's take a look at who will spend more money next year in Italy, as cigarettes and tobacco prices are set to increase in 2023.

 

According to data analysis from Epicentre ISS, we can estimate that Italian regions will spend more money on cigarette and tobacco packaging next year due to the Meloni government's plan to increase prices in 2023, based on a two-year period from 2020-2021.

 

In Italy, where do people smoke the most? Among the regions with the highest smoking rates, the top ranking is held by certain areas in central and southern Italy, particularly Abruzzo, Umbria, and Campania, but there are also significant numbers of smokers in Emilia-Romagna.

 

On the contrary, in 2023, the regions of Puglia, Marche, Calabria and Friuli-Venezia Giulia will be less affected by the increase in cigarette and tobacco prices.

 

Data from the Istituto Superiore di Sanità reveals that in Italy, 50% of the population does not smoke, while 24.5% have a habitual consumption of cigarettes.

 

With the awareness that cigarettes and tobacco will increase in price in 2023, let's take a look at how much revenue the country generates from cigarette sales. In this scenario, data from 2020 from the demographic analysis institution, Eurispes, reveal that the country collects approximately 14 billion euros yearly from cigarette sales.

 

However, it is important to note that if we consider the expenses borne by the country itself on an annual basis to support public health measures, prevent and treat diseases related to tobacco consumption, the net profit is actually half of this figure, approximately 7 billion euros.

 


Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

Spain Cigarette Volumes Fall 5.2% in August, BAT Drops 14.5%, JTI Gains Share; France Down 8.3% on Adjusted Basis
Spain Cigarette Volumes Fall 5.2% in August, BAT Drops 14.5%, JTI Gains Share; France Down 8.3% on Adjusted Basis
Spain's cigarette volumes declined 5.2% year over year in August 2026, according to government data cited by UBS and reported by Investing.com on October 7. British American Tobacco's volumes fell 14.5%, followed by Imperial Brands at 8.8%, Philip Morris International at 6.6% and Japan Tobacco at 4.6%. JTI was the only one of the four companies to gain cigarette market share, rising six basis points to 26.7%. In France, official customs data showed an unadjusted 3.7% decline in cigarette deliveries. Adjusting for the difference in delivery days produces a decline of approximately 8.3%, consistent with the UBS figure. The bank also estimated the earnings exposure of major tobacco companies to both markets.
Market
Oct.13
NATO Executive Director David Spross Sees U.S. Vape Regulation Improving, Calls for More PMTA Authorizations and Warns of 2027 State Tax Pressure
NATO Executive Director David Spross Sees U.S. Vape Regulation Improving, Calls for More PMTA Authorizations and Warns of 2027 State Tax Pressure
The National Association of Tobacco Outlets is calling for more FDA marketing authorizations, greater transparency in the PMTA process and continued enforcement against unauthorized e-cigarettes, even as its executive director, David Spross, points to recent regulatory developments as signs of progress. At the state level, excise taxes, flavor restrictions and vapor product directories remain major issues for tobacco retailers. By August 2026, 17 states had enacted laws establishing state-managed e-cigarette directories or similar systems.
Innovation
Sep.29 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Australia’s Victoria Steps Up Illegal Tobacco Enforcement With Store Closures and Penalties of Up to A$2.5 Million
Australia’s Victoria Steps Up Illegal Tobacco Enforcement With Store Closures and Penalties of Up to A$2.5 Million
Australia’s state of Victoria has activated new powers allowing Tobacco Licensing Victoria and police to shut premises suspected of selling, supplying or possessing illicit tobacco for up to 90 days. Longer closures can be ordered by a magistrates’ court. Businesses subject to closure orders must generally cease all trading and will be placed on a public list. Breaching a closure order can carry penalties of up to A$2.5 million and 20 years in prison.
Sep.10
UK Extends Age-18 Rules to Zero-Nicotine Vapes and Nicotine Pouches From Oct. 29, Bans Vending Machines and Promotional Giveaways
UK Extends Age-18 Rules to Zero-Nicotine Vapes and Nicotine Pouches From Oct. 29, Bans Vending Machines and Promotional Giveaways
Key provisions of the UK's Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 will take effect on Oct. 29, extending an age-18 sales restriction to all vaping and non-medicinal nicotine products. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the change brings zero-nicotine vapes within statutory age-of-sale rules and also covers products including nicotine pouches, strips and pearls. The law will also prohibit proxy purchasing for under-18s, consumer-facing vending machines, promotional giveaways and substantial discounts intended to promote vaping and nicotine products.
Regulations
Oct.10
India Duty-Free Nicotine Pouch Sales Face Regulatory Test as ZYN, FOX Classification Remains Open
India Duty-Free Nicotine Pouch Sales Face Regulatory Test as ZYN, FOX Classification Remains Open
The Bombay High Court has ruled that airport duty-free shops are not exempt from India's domestic regulatory laws merely because they operate beyond the customs barrier, leaving in place a sales halt covering ZYN and FOX nicotine pouches at Mumbai's international airport. The court, however, did not determine that the products necessarily qualify as "drugs" under India's Drugs and Cosmetics Act. The retailers have four weeks to submit product information to the appropriate authorities, including CDSCO, which must complete its review within 30 days of receiving the submissions.
Sep.24
Canada Considers Easing Pharmacy-Only Nicotine Pouch Sales Rules, Potentially Reopening Convenience Store Channel
Canada Considers Easing Pharmacy-Only Nicotine Pouch Sales Rules, Potentially Reopening Convenience Store Channel
Canada's federal government is considering changes to current restrictions on where nicotine pouches can be sold, potentially allowing authorized products to return to convenience stores and other general retail channels, although no decision has been made. Since 2024, emerging nicotine replacement therapy products such as nicotine pouches have been largely restricted to behind-the-counter pharmacy sales. Health Canada, meanwhile, continues to recall unauthorized and higher-strength nicotine pouches, indicating that the current discussion concerns retail access for authorized products rather than a broad relaxation of nicotine pouch regulation.
Sep.14