Kenya: BAT Raises Cigarette Prices After Budget

Source from:  Nairobi Star (Nairobi) 06/14/2011

BAT Kenya has adjusted its prices following Wednesday's budget which saw Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta review taxes levied on cigarettes. In the budget, the minister left cigarette companies with the challenge of measuring a uniform tax of 1,200 per mile (1000 cigarettes) or 35 percent of their retail price.The price changes will be felt more by smokers of the low end brands while smokers of the premium brands will not be affected. The new prices by BAT came into effect on June 9. Rooster now retails at Sh3 per stick and Sh60 per pack of 20 cigarettes up from Sh50, while Sportsman at Sh4.50 per stick and Sh90 per pack of 20 cigarettes up from Sh70. Safari Kings retails at Sh3.90 per stick and Sh78 per pack of 20 cigarettes up from Sh70, while Safari Regular at Sh3 per stick and Sh60 per pack of 20 cigarettes up from Sh50. Brand that have retain their prices include Embassy and Dunhill at Sh7 per stick and Sh140 per pack of 20 cigarettes, and Sweet Menthol (also referred to as SM) at Sh4.50 per stick and Sh90 per pack of 20 cigarettes. Mastermind Tobacco Company which is the main rival of BAT is yet to release its new prices. Enditem