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Friday, 5 December 2008

The Chancellor announced a number of increases in duty on alcohol and tobacco

From Monday 17 March, alcohol duty rates will increase by 6 per cent above the rate of inflation.

Alcohol duties will increase by 2 per cent above the rate of inflation in each of the next four years.

Product	*Effect of tax on typical item (increase in pence)**	Typical unit
Beer (4.2% abv)	4p	pint of beer
Wine	3p	175 ml glass
Wine	14p	75cl bottle
Sparkling wine	18p	75cl bottle
Spirits (37.5% abv)	55p	70cl bottle
Spirits-based ready to drinks	3p	275ml bottle
Cider	3p	litre
Sparkling cider	14p	75cl bottle

* Tax refers to duty, plus VAT

From 6.00 pm on 12 March 2008, tobacco duty rates will be:

Product	Duty	*Effect of tax on typical item (increase in pence)**	Typical unit
Cigarettes	22 per cent of the retail price plus £112.07 per thousand cigarettes	11p	packet of 20
Cigars	£163.22 per kilogram	4p	packet of 5
Hand-rolling tobacco	£117.32 per kilogram	11p	25g
Other smoking tobacco and chewing tobacco	£71.76 per kilogram	6p	25g of pipe tobacco