Cigarettes to Get Costlier from Feb 1, 2026: New Excise Duty Re-imposed

• From February 1, 2026, cigarettes will become more expensive due to the re-imposition of Specific Central Excise Duty, in addition to GST.
• Excise duty will be levied per 1,000 cigarette sticks, varying based on length and whether they are filtered or non-filtered.
• This marks the first significant tax increase since GST implementation in 2017, with longer and premium cigarettes facing the highest burden.
• New rates range from ₹2,050 per 1,000 sticks for short non-filtered to ₹8,500+ for premium longer than 75mm.
• The government aims to curb tax evasion, boost revenue, and reduce tobacco consumption, aligning with public health standards, despite still being below WHO recommendations.

Why It Matters: Cigarettes will see a significant price hike from Feb 1, 2026, due to new excise duty.