German Cigarette Price Hike in March

Smoking in Germany is going to become more expense from March 1. The price of a packet of cigarettes will go up by 40 cents, as a new tax on tobacco goes into effect and cigarette makers raise their profit margins. Whereas approximately 28 cents will go to the government, 12 cents will head to the makers of smokes. A pack of Marlboros is expected to cost €3.60 after the hike. The tobacco tax will increase by 1.2 cents per cigarette on December 1 and again on September 1, 2005 to help finance the government's health reforms.