Higher taxes on alcohol/cigarettes

The Cabinet today approves the Finance Ministry's proposal to slap a heavier tax rate on alcohol and cigarette products.

The Finance Ministry reasoned that this action would raise the government revenue as well as reduce consumption of the unhealthy products.

With immediate effect, the excise tax rates on eight cigarette brands will be raised by Bt6-Bt8 a pack. The rates on alcohol products would be raised to Bt120 per litre of alcohol for domestically-produced products and Bt400 for imported products, regardless of alcohol content.

The excise tax does not require a legal amendment, as the new tax rates are still within the legal limits.