Cigarette Prices Soar Before GST Hike: Consumers Exploited, Where to Complain?

• Cigarette prices have increased by 2-3 rupees per stick even before the official GST hike on tobacco products, effective February 1.
• Shopkeepers are selling Rs 10 cigarettes for Rs 12 and Rs 18 ones for Rs 21-22, citing stockist price increases.
• This black marketing is rampant in both small towns and metro cities like Delhi and Mumbai, with shopkeepers profiting from old stock.
• Charging above MRP is illegal under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, and the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
• Consumers can complain via National Consumer Helpline (1915, 1800-11-4000), consumerhelpline.gov.in, e-Daakhil portal, or offline with local police/Legal Metrology Department.

Why It Matters: Consumers face illegal price hikes on cigarettes before GST changes; multiple channels available for complaints.