Excise duties are rising from at least EUR 86 per 1,000 cigarettes to at least EUR 90, which is a 4.6% increase.

The price hike is in line with amendments to the excise duties act bringing forward a planned increase in excise for cigarettes from October to July.

The legislative changes also envisage further gradual rises. On 1 October the excise duties will rise to EUR 94 per 1,000 cigarettes and on 1 January 2013 to EUR 97.

The amendments were passed in mid-June. The hike will net the budget EUR 4m this year and EUR 8m in 2013.

In line with EU law, excise duties on cigarettes must be at least EUR 90 per 1,000 cigarettes by 1 January 2014.