Spain ups tobacco by an average of 7.3%

SPAIN (Agencies) In another revenue-creating move, the Government has increased the price of tobacco by an average 7.3% as from Saturday, that is expected to bring in an additional €780 million to the nation's coffers in 2011. At the top end of the scale brands such as Marlboro or Chesterfield go up from €3.85 to €4.11 per pack of twenty, while the less costly rise from 2.90 to €3.53 at the tobaconnists. The largest increase, however, is for rolling tobacco, a 20-gramme pack of which jumps from €1.8 a €2.45. These prices are still considerably lower than in Germany, France or the UK, according to Elena Salgado, the Treasury Minister, who announced the measure. At a local level, the increase can be expected to benefit Gibraltar tobacco sales as well as  the Rock's 'exporters.' (Prospero note: Still not smoking ... well over five months now. Good boy!)