Jump to full article: Agence France Presse (AFP) (fr), 2009-06-22
Intro: China has raised tax on tobacco in an effort to bolster state coffers and curb smoking in the world's largest cigarette market, according to the government and state press.
Tobacco wholesalers were also hit with a five percent levy according to new tax rates that went into effect on May 1 but were announced over the weekend, the State Administration of Taxation said in a notice on its website.
"Efforts to increase the tobacco tax and lift tobacco prices have proven the most effective in reducing smoking among smokers of all income levels," the China Daily quoted the Chinese Association of Tobacco Control as saying Monday.
"It will prevent young people from smoking and encourage more smokers to quit the harmful habit."
Tax on more expensive brands of cigarettes went up from 45 percent to 56 percent per packet, while the tax on cheaper tobacco saw an increase from 30 to 36 percent, the administration said.
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