From tomorrow more expensive “blondes”. They are harmful and pollute but they guarantee an income of 15 billion a year to the state coffers. To which is now added over 1 billion from 2026. The first increases in cigarette prices decided with the latest budget are starting: from this year to 2028 prices will progressively increase. From tomorrow in particular there will be increases of up to 30 cents for Philip Morris and, for example, Marlboros will reach 6.80 euros per pack. Then in the next few days the Monopolies will also update the price lists of the other brands.
In 2026 alone, around 900 million more will arrive at the Treasury. Cigars and cut tobacco will also increase but not ‘heated’ tobacco, such as one of the well-known brands ‘Tereà’. A market towards which large multinationals are converging. The debate on blondes is however destined to continue: even if the increase that comes into force tomorrow is lower than what was hypothesized during the discussion phase of the measure, it should be noted that, for example, for years the association of oncologists has been asking for a monstrous increase of 5 euros per package. They would serve to pay the social cost, in terms of health care, that this bad habit entails. But there are those who push even harder. For example, the environmental doctors of Sima. President Alessandro Miani explains: «if we think from the perspective of increasing taxes on goods that are harmful to health, we should evaluate a more complete approach, which takes into consideration a vast range of potentially harmful products. In many other countries, in fact, the idea of the ‘sin tax’ (tax on vices) has been successfully applied to various products, from spirits to sugary drinks. This not only contributed to reducing the consumption of these products, but also led to an increase in public revenue, intended to cover the associated healthcare costs.”
From Europe the hypothesis of a directive for even more decisive increases
And even at a European level, the hypothesis is of a directive that forces member countries to make more decisive price increases. The calculations on the revenue for the treasury are made by Assoutenti: «the maneuver provides for a progressive increase in the years 2026-2028 of the fixed minimum amount of excise duties on cigarettes, cigarillos and chopped tobacco, and redefines the coefficients for the calculation of the excise duty on heated tobacco products. Specifically, the excise duty on manufactured tobacco goes from 29.50 euros per 1,000 cigarettes in 2025 to 32 euros in 2026, and then rises to 35.50 euros in 2027 and 38.50 euros in 2028. – explains Assoutenti – The minimum amount of the excise duty on cigarillos rises from 37 to 47 euros per conventional kilogram for the year 2026, at 49 euros for the year 2027 and, starting from the year 2028 at 51 euros per conventional kilogram”. «According to the government’s forecasts – recalls the president, Gabriele Melluso – the increase in the prices of cigarettes and tobacco to the public will guarantee a greater revenue of 1.47 billion euros in the three-year period».