UK Finance Minister Plans Record Tobacco Tax Hike

Feb.24.2023
UK Finance Minister Plans Record Tobacco Tax Hike
UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt plans the largest tobacco tax increase in history, raising a pack by £1.15.

Recently, according to the Daily Mail, Jeremy Hunt, the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the UK, is planning to implement the biggest tobacco tax increase in British history.


According to reports, Hunter will officially release the budget proposal on March 15th, which includes a tobacco tax increase. A pack of 20 cigarettes will increase by £1.15 (approximately RMB 9.5), representing an increase of over 15%.


Although tobacco taxes usually increase with inflation, some smokers in the UK are hoping the government will temporarily delay the implementation of this decision due to the current high level of inflation.


The tobacco tax has generated nearly £11 billion in revenue for the government, representing 1.2% of all tax revenue for the year. Britain aims to reduce the proportion of smokers in the population to below 5% by the end of the century.


Earlier this year, a public opinion poll revealed that most British people wish to immediately ban the sale of cigarettes. According to a survey conducted by MailOnline, 52% of respondents support a "complete" ban on purchasing cigarettes, while 31% "strongly" support a ban on their sale.


The findings of the survey could provide legislators and health experts with more confidence that public opinion is nearing a crucial moment in favor of a smoking ban. It is reported that the UK previously implemented a ban on smoking in bars and restaurants in 2006 and 2007.


References:


Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt is reportedly considering increasing the tax on tobacco in line with inflation, resulting in a £1.15 rise in the price of a pack of cigarettes, according to sources. The potential move is expected to be announced in next month's budget.



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.

 BAT Bangladesh Cigarette Sales Fall 14%, Q1 Profit Drops 34%
BAT Bangladesh Cigarette Sales Fall 14%, Q1 Profit Drops 34%
British American Tobacco Bangladesh reported a 14% year-on-year decline in cigarette sales volume and a 34% drop in first-quarter profit, highlighting mounting pressure from inflation, taxation, and weakening consumer spending in Bangladesh.
News
May.18
Japan Tobacco Q1 2026 Financial Results: Revenue at $5.914 Billion,RRP Revenue Up 63.8% YoY
Japan Tobacco Q1 2026 Financial Results: Revenue at $5.914 Billion,RRP Revenue Up 63.8% YoY
Japanese Tobacco (JT) reports Q1 2026 revenue of 924 billion yen, a 15.2% increase; operating profit rises 24.7%.
May.08 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Altria’s USSTC to Close Nashville Plant and Shift Operations to Kentucky by 2028
Altria’s USSTC to Close Nashville Plant and Shift Operations to Kentucky by 2028
U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company (USSTC), a subsidiary of Altria Group, announced plans to close its Nashville manufacturing facility by 2028 and consolidate production operations at a new facility in Hopkinsville, Kentucky.
Market
Jun.02
Portugal and Other Countries Submit Objections in Brussels Over UK Smoke-Free Generation Bill
Portugal and Other Countries Submit Objections in Brussels Over UK Smoke-Free Generation Bill
Portugal is among the countries opposing the UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which would ban tobacco sales to people born on or after Jan. 1, 2009. According to the report, Portugal, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Greece, Italy, Slovakia and Romania have submitted reasoned opinions and formal observations to Brussels, arguing that the bill breaches post-Brexit arrangements including the Windsor Framework.
Apr.24 by 2FIRSTS.ai
AIR Shares Drop 18.6% in Nasdaq Debut, Testing Hookah’s Move Toward Public Markets
AIR Shares Drop 18.6% in Nasdaq Debut, Testing Hookah’s Move Toward Public Markets
AIR Global’s Nasdaq debut under ticker AIIR ended with a 18.6% first-day decline, giving the global hookah industry a rare public-market reference point. Beyond one company’s share move, the listing raises a broader question: can a culturally rooted, fragmented and venue-based category evolve into a more scalable and investable consumer sector?
Special Report
May.19
 RFK Jr. Spokesman Resigns Over FDA Authorization of Fruit-Flavored Vapes
RFK Jr. Spokesman Resigns Over FDA Authorization of Fruit-Flavored Vapes
Richard Danker, a senior public affairs official in Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s team, resigned from his role at HHS over the FDA’s recent authorization of fruit-flavored vaping products. In a resignation letter addressed to President Donald Trump, Danker argued that the products could expose minors to nicotine addiction, lung damage, and increased cancer risks, while also conflicting with recent HHS guidance on youth risks associated with flavored nicotine products.
News
May.15