RISHI Sunak's cigarette tax hike has sparked fury among smokers as critics warn the poor will be "hit the hardest."

Earlier this week the Chancellor revealed the price of a 20-pack is set to soar by up to 88p reaching a massive £13.60, while he unveiled the Autumn Budget.

Rishi Sunak's plan to increase the tobacco prices means the cheapest pack will cost almost £9.73.

The decision has been slammed by critics who say that smokers are being unfairly targeted in the Government's war on smoking.

Simon Clark, director of the smokers' group Forest, said: “Smokers are sick and tired of being targeted every year with above-inflation increases in tobacco duty. 

“The majority of smokers come from poorer backgrounds.

"Many have suffered financially as a result of the pandemic and should not have to face yet another increase in the cost of tobacco at a time when they can least afford it.”

He added that increase duty on tobacco products was likely to encourage illicit trade, which would hurt retailers and put consumers at risk.

Rolling tobacco will also be affected with the price of a 30g bag set to jump from £15.60 to £17.30.

While the government's move aimed to reduce the number of smokers, many took it to social media to protest the price hike.

One social media user tweeted: "Alcohol kills more in the U.K. than cigarettes – so they lower the price of alcohol and hike the prices of fags! @RishiSunak is a bit backward isn’t he"

Another one said: "Have no idea what price my fags are now and am no looking forward to finding out."

Someone added: "In every single budget the government hits smokers with more tax on cigarettes. Huge swathes of these people are struggling already.

"It won't stop them smoking, but it will hurt the working class. We're becoming a self-righteous and snobby country."

Another one tweeted: "So the cost of cigarettes is rising again. Let's not pretend this is about health.

"Fact of the matter is even after taking into account how much the NHS spend on smoking related illness and disease the UK government make almost 15 billion pounds each year."

Smokers were hit in the 2020 Budget too when the average 20-pack went up by around 22p.

At the time, the 2 percent tax increase put the cheapest20-pack of cigarettes up from £8.82 to £9.10.

The most expensive cigarettes increased from £12.46 to £12.73.

We pay for your stories!

Do you have a story for The Sun news desk?

Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4104. You can WhatsApp us on 07423 720 250. We pay for videos too.

Click here to upload yours.

Click here to get The Sun newspaper delivered for FREE for the next six weeks.

Source: Read Full Article