Cigarette prices rise again: expensive smoke in Austria from July 2025!

Cigarette prices rise again: expensive smoke in Austria from July 2025!

From July 2025, smokers in Austria have to expect higher prices for cigarettes. The price increase is between 10 and 20 cents for various brands, which is due to a gradual increase in tobacco tax, which was already decided in 2022. According to 5min , a new minimum consumption tax of 83.50 euros per 1,000 cigarettes. Tobacco companies such as Philip Morris and Japan Tobacco International (JTI) have already announced price increases against consumers.

The affected cigarette brands are diverse. For some brands, including Benson & Hedges, Camel and Winston, a price adjustment is made by 10 cents, while others like my variety Classic and Onesmart export become 20 cents more expensive. This is part of a broader strategy in order to prevent young people and occasional smokers from smoking. Studies show that price increases can significantly influence the smoke behavior.

long -term goals of tax policy

The long -term goals of this tax policy extend beyond the immediate price increase. Experts intend to lower tobacco consumption and reduce the associated follow -up costs for the health system. In addition, a new nicotine tax will be introduced from 2026, which will also affect e-cigarettes and nicotine bags. This measure is intended to bring the state an estimated 85 million euros annually.

In international comparison, it turns out that cigarette prices in Austria are relatively moderate. For example, cigarettes in France cost between 11.50 and 13 euros, but only 4.80 euros in Croatia, which illustrates the different approaches to tobacco taxation.

The situation in Germany

parallel to developments in Austria, tobacco tax is also continuously adapted in Germany. As reported by Tabakkland , the tobacco tax in Germany has been regulated uniformly in accordance with EU specifications since January 1, 1993 and is the most profitable consumption tax according to the energy tax. In 2023, the income from tobacco tax was around 14.7 billion euros. These income flow into the federal budget and support public expenses and health programs.

The main function of tobacco tax is to reduce tobacco consumption, which is proven by a significant decrease in the taxed cigarettes in recent years. In 2022, 8.3% fewer cigarettes were taxed in Germany than in 2021, which is at least partially attributed to the increase in tobacco tax. Despite these efforts, nicotine consumption among young people is still high, a fact that the WHO views critically.