Here’s a possible rewrite: Starting April 1, cigarettes to become notably pricier: here’s how much more you’ll shell out – Checkout – BNNVARA

Cigarettes will become considerably more expensive from April 1, 2023. This has everything to do with an increase in excise duty. The excise duty will increase by 1.22 euros, and a pack of 20 cigarettes will then cost an average of 9 euros. In a year’s time, the excise duty will be increased again by 1.22 euros: the same parcel will then cost an average of 10 euros.

There is a chance that you will not immediately notice the price increase. Retailers can still use up their old stocks, until June 1, 2023. It therefore depends on the brand and the point of sale when you will pay the new price.

In any case, it will be more expensive after June 1, even in the case of old stocks: “After that, the option to sell old stocks will have ended and everything must have the new price,” says a spokesperson.

The increase in excise duty is intended to reduce the number of smokers. “We know from research that 80 percent of all smokers want to quit. We want to support those people as much as possible to really stop now,” says State Secretary Maarten van Ooijen (Public Health).

“On the one hand with the substantial price increases this year and next year. On the other hand with good help, fewer points of sale and a further restriction of the places where you can smoke, so that people are less tempted to start smoking again.”

The increase in the tax on tobacco is an agreement in the coalition agreement. Government policy is aimed at ensuring that no young person starts smoking by 2040. In 2022, 18.9 percent of over-18s smoked. A year earlier that was 20.6 percent. ANP