Rising Tobacco and Alcohol Prices in Belarus

Feb.27.2023
Rising Tobacco and Alcohol Prices in Belarus
Belarus raises tobacco and alcohol taxes, leading to price increases and plans to align with Russian rates by 2028.

On February 26th, according to reports from Belarusian media, the average price of tobacco products in January increased by 14.2% compared to December 2022 due to an increase in consumption tax on January 1st of this year. The price of vodka also rose by 4.7%.


According to the agreement on indirect taxes between Belarus and Russia, Belarus will increase its excise tax rates on cigarettes and alcohol for the next three years.


As per the plan, the tax rate for the second category of cigarettes will be aligned with Russia's consumption tax rate in October this year.


By the end of this year, the tax rate for the first category of cigarettes will be approximately 35% lower than that of Russia, and by the end of 2024, it will decrease by about 25%. According to the regulations outlined in this document, the tax rate will balance with Russia by 2028.


Starting from March 1st, Tabak-Invest company will increase the prices of many cigarette brands. For example, Camel Blue and Camel Yellow will rise by 30 kopecks to reach 4.65 Russian rubles (approximately 12.8 Chinese yuan), Winston Classic and Winston Blue will also increase by 30 kopecks to reach 5.5 Russian rubles (approximately 15.5 Chinese yuan), and Winston XS Purple Mix will increase by 25 kopecks to reach 5.25 Russian rubles (approximately 14.5 Chinese yuan).


Reference(s):


At the beginning of this year, prices for cigarettes and vodka skyrocketed. Walmart explained how this is related to the closer ties with Russia.


This document has been generated through artificial intelligence translation and is provided solely for the purposes of industry discourse and learning. Please note that the intellectual property rights of the content belong to the original media source or author. Owing to certain limitations in the translation process, there may be discrepancies between the translated text and the original content. We recommend referring to the original source for complete accuracy. In case of any inaccuracies, we invite you to reach out to us with corrections. If you believe any content has infringed upon your rights, please contact us immediately for its removal.

The Volume Illusion: Measuring the Future of Nicotine with the Tools of the Past
The Volume Illusion: Measuring the Future of Nicotine with the Tools of the Past
As next-generation nicotine products become economically central rather than marginal, traditional volume-based metrics are increasingly unable to explain consumption, risk, and value. Units designed for a cigarette-based economy struggle to describe systems defined by delivery speed, pharmacokinetics, and adaptive user behavior. Drawing on financial reporting, regulation, and nicotine science, a fundamental question: can the future of nicotine still be measured using the tools of its past?
Feb.09 by Alan Zhao | 2Firsts Perspectives
Korea’s MFDS sets 2026 plan to manage and disclose harmful constituents in tobacco products
Korea’s MFDS sets 2026 plan to manage and disclose harmful constituents in tobacco products
South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) said it has established its 2026 work plan to systematically manage harmful constituents in tobacco products and disclose related information under the Tobacco Harmfulness Management Act, which took effect in November 2025.
Jan.16 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Malaysia MOH: 25,643 enforcement operations and 496,247 premises inspected nationwide as of Nov. 30
Malaysia MOH: 25,643 enforcement operations and 496,247 premises inspected nationwide as of Nov. 30
Malaysia’s Ministry of Health said it conducted 25,643 enforcement operations involving inspections of 496,247 premises nationwide as of Nov.
Jan.09 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Reuters/AP: China Cancels E-cigarette Export Tax Rebate, Manufacturing Industry Faces Cost and Risk Pressures
Reuters/AP: China Cancels E-cigarette Export Tax Rebate, Manufacturing Industry Faces Cost and Risk Pressures
China officially cancels e-cigarette export tax rebate, putting manufacturing under cost and risk pressure.
Jan.16 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Proposed vaping duty in Jersey: £467,000 forecast for 2026 as it takes effect in the second half of the year
Proposed vaping duty in Jersey: £467,000 forecast for 2026 as it takes effect in the second half of the year
Jersey is proposing a vaping duty. The Treasury Minister said the duty is forecast to raise £467,000 in 2026 because it will take effect in the second half of the year, and £955,000 per year from 2027 to 2029. Implementation is estimated to cost around £400,000 over four years, with an initial cost of £145,000 in 2026. The policy is described as aiming to reduce nicotine consumption and improve public health, while avoiding a shift to smoking.
Feb.26 by 2FIRSTS.ai
SICPA Secures Five-Year UK Vape Tax Stamp Contract
SICPA Secures Five-Year UK Vape Tax Stamp Contract
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has awarded a five-year contract to Swiss technology company SICPA and Cartor Security Printers to implement the United Kingdom’s new vaping duty stamp and track-and-trace system, beginning in April 2026.
Market
Feb.24