A second increase in the prices of tobacco products is coming in 2025. From May 1st, a pack of cigarettes will increase in price by between 40 and 50 stotinki. The change is included in the just-adopted state budget for 2025, which introduces the planned increase in excise rates for 2026 ahead of schedule.
The Bulgarian Association of the Tobacco Industry (BATI) refutes the information spread about a drastic increase in the price of cigarettes from April 1st. Earlier, representatives of the Association "Bulgaria without Smoke" and "Coalition for a Life Without Tobacco Smoke" had announced that the changes to the excise directive would lead to an increase of 2 leva and 50 stotinki per pack.
The Ministry of Finance has developed a plan for a phased increase in excise duties on all tobacco products until 2029. From the beginning of 2025, the minimum total amount of excise duty for 1,000 pieces of cigarettes is 202 leva. From May 1, an increase to 210 leva is expected, with an increase of 12 leva each following year.
The excise duty rate for heated tobacco products is also changing - from May 1, it will be 400 leva per milliliter, up from the current 380 leva. An annual increase of 20 leva is planned until 2029.
The Ministry of Finance emphasizes that the Ministry of Finance would not allow a sharp increase in excise duties, as this could stimulate the illegal trade in cigarettes. Industry representatives do not comment on specific prices, as each company has its own pricing policy for different brands.