Tobacco duty is set to rise in two main stages linked to the UK government’s recent budgets and tax plans, with increases both as a percentage and as fixed amounts per pack.

Quick Scoop

  • From 26 November 2025, tobacco duty rates will increase by Retail Price Index (RPI) plus 2 percentage points across all tobacco products.
  • From 1 October 2026, there will be another rise of RPI plus 2 percentage points and an extra £2.20 per 100 cigarettes and £2.20 per 50g of other tobacco products.
  • These changes mean cigarettes and rolling tobacco will become progressively more expensive over late 2025 and through 2026, on top of normal price inflation.

What this means in practice

  • The government’s aim is to keep tobacco taxes “high” so that smoking becomes less affordable over time and duty continues to raise significant revenue.
  • The extra £2.20 per 100 cigarettes is roughly an additional 44p duty on a standard 20‑cigarette pack, before any further price changes from manufacturers or retailers.

Why now?

  • The rises were announced alongside the introduction of a new Vaping Products Duty, to keep vaping cheaper than smoking and preserve an incentive to switch away from cigarettes.
  • Legislation is planned in the Finance Bill 2025–26 to lock in the 2025–26 and 2026–27 tobacco upratings plus the one‑off 2026 increase in one go, all taking effect on 1 October 2026.

Wider context and debate

  • Public health groups generally support above‑inflation tobacco tax rises, arguing they cut smoking rates and reduce long‑term healthcare costs.
  • Industry and some consumer voices argue that sharp increases risk fueling illicit trade and place a heavier burden on lower‑income smokers who struggle to quit.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.