How much should cost a pack of cigarettes in Ukraine - expert opinion

According to the expert, it is necessary to provide guaranteed income to the budget, but not at the expense of increasing the availability of tobacco products. Ukraine should not be "social cigarettes," because it affects the future health of children and the nation Ukraine should not be "social cigarettes," because it affects the future health of children and the nation Vladislav Sodel, apostrophe.com.ua Problems with the preparation of legislative changes on the taxation of tobacco products can lead to difficulties in the fight against smoking in Ukraine and lead to a shortfall in the state budget in the amount of 3 billion USD.

Read also: In Ukraine, may take off the price of spirits This opinion was expressed edition Apostrophe expert of the International Centre for Policy Studies Vadim Perebiynis.

"Yesterday (Tuesday 22 December) Tax Committee of the Verkhovna Rada was unable to reach a compromise on the taxation of tobacco products. Oddly, opinion is divided about the ad valorem rate, in fact - on the question of whether to support those who want to leave cigarettes in Ukraine cheap or not. In the context of the need to balance the budget cuts and the abolition of benefits for a number of more socially sensitive issues, such a position of some deputies questioned the desire to reach a reasonable solution to the problem issues. In addition, Ukraine is actually endangers the fulfillment of their commitments to increase excise taxes on tobacco products, which are defined sign an association agreement with the EU, and that, in particular, is expected by 2027 to establish minimum excise tax of 90 euros per 1000 cigarettes, "- he said.

It is necessary to provide guaranteed income to the budget, but in any case not by increasing the availability of cigarettes

"In working groups publicly suggested a solution that can achieve both objectives - to increase the minimum tax liability and the specific tax on 40%, as proposed by the Ministry of Finance, but instead increase the ad valorem rate to introduce tax mechanisms to establish a minimum price for cigarettes. This is especially important if we take into account the fact that in recent months, the cigarette fell 2-3 hryvnia, and now stand on the UAH 9 per pack. The market should not be cheaper cigarettes 15-16 UAH. Subject to this approach, revenues in 2016 could be 3 billion USD higher than predicted today ", - stressed also Perebiynis.

Read also: In Ukraine, fell vodka production "In addition, this solution will reduce the affordability of cigarettes in the low price category, in the context of the fight against smoking among young people is quite an effective measure. Ukraine should not be "social cigarettes," because it affects the future health of children and the nation ", - the expert said.

Earlier it was reported that the US government to sue tobacco companies a fine of $ 550 million for the damage that tobacco causes to the population of New York.