Gulf Cooperation Council: 200% Unified Tax Increase on Tobacco and Cigarettes under Consideration

Analysis

The Executive Office for the Health Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries has prepared a study on increasing taxes on tobacco and cigarettes by between 150 and 200%.

Tawfiq Khouja, the Office manager said once the study is approved there will be a unified tax increase, which will be imposed in all of the GCC countries.

Khouja also added the GCC finance and economy cooperation commission is discussing the tax increase and is expected to approve it in a bid to tackle the spread of a smoking culture.

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