Website of the UK government

Please note that this website has a UK government accesskeys system.

Public services all in one place

Main menu

Sunday, 22 November 2009

Budget 2009 - alcohol and tobacco

  • Published: Wednesday, 22 April 2009

Today, the Chancellor announced increases in duty on alcohol and tobacco.

Alcohol

From Thursday 23 April 2009, alcohol duty rates will increase by 2 per cent above the rate of inflation.

Alcohol duties will increase by 2 per cent above the rate of inflation in each of the next four years.

Product

Effect of tax* on typical item
(increase in pence)

Typical unit

Beer (4.2% abv)

1p

pint of beer

Wine

4p

75cl bottle

Sparkling wine

5p

75cl bottle

Spirits (37.5% abv)

13p

70cl bottle

Spirits-based ready to drink

1p

275ml bottle

Cider and perry

1p

litre


* Tax refers to duty, plus VAT

Tobacco

From 6.00 pm on 22nd April 2009, tobacco duty will increase by 2 per cent. The rates will be:

Product

Duty

Effect of tax* on typical item (increase in pence)

Typical unit

Cigarettes

24 per cent of the retail price plus £114.31 per thousand cigarettes

7p

packet of 20

Cigars

£173.13 per kilogram

3p

packet of 5

Hand-rolling tobacco

£124.45 per kilogram

7p

25g

Other smoking tobacco and chewing tobacco

£76.12 per kilogram

4p

25g of pipe tobacco


* Tax refers to duty, plus VAT

This increases tobacco duty in line with inflation.

Additional links

Budget 2009

Budget 2009 information

Details of this year's Budget

Access keys