Romania Cigarette Producers Hike Prices By RON0.3/Pack

JTI Romania corporate affairs manager Gilda Lazar told MEDIAFAX the price hike was prompted by excise and cost increases.

Cigarette producers Philip Morris and British American Tobacco raised prices by RON0.3 per pack. Philip Morris will implement the new prices starting January 26.

Lazar said in early December cigarette prices will not be hiked starting January 1 and added an up to RON0.6 price increase will occur in July.

According to a study, smuggled cigarettes accounted for 24.4% of the total Romanian cigarette market in September last year, from 21.3% in June and July. Cigarette producers said the situation was triggered by high cigarette prices.