According to the index.hu internet news portal the governing parties blocked the increase of the excise duty on tobacco products with an amendment proposal the origin of which is unknown. István Balsai, head of the parliament's constitutional committee admitted that he did not remember who had submitted the proposal. Due to the amendment, the central budget will face a HUF 20 billion loss next year, argued index.hu. The original proposal would have increased the excise duty on tobacco products by a total of 7%, and the duty on cut tobacco leaves by 28 % in three steps over a span of 12 months. Because of this delay, Hungary will have the lowest tobacco prices in the European Union

Last Updated on Thursday, 14 July 2011 09:08