It officially starts the increase in cigarettes in 2026. From today, Friday 16 January, the new prices established by the government with the Budget Law and made operational through a circular from theCustoms agency and monopolies. The price increases are coming up to 30 cents per packet and concern almost 400 products, including cigarettes, cigars e finely chopped tobaccoToday's increase, however, does not represent an isolated case but only the first step of a broader maneuver, which includes further increases already scheduled for 2027 and 2028.
Cigarettes 2026: Why Prices Are Rising
The reason for the increase in cigarettes in 2026 is the tax update on tobacco products, as envisaged in the budget. The government had estimated an average price increase of 14 to 15 cents per pack, but the actual impact varies depending on the brand and, in some cases, is higher, reaching up to 30 cents. The objective of the intervention is fiscal: according to official estimates, only in 2026 the increase in prices will guarantee the State approximately 900 million euros, while in the three-year period 2026-2028 the overall revenue is expected to reach 1,47 billion euros.
Furthermore, the increase in excise duties affects all producers, even if the price list adjustments are not uniform. The price increases, in fact, are applied gradually and not all brands have yet updated their prices, which is why new official communications are expected in the coming weeks.
Cigarettes, cigars, rolling tobacco, and e-cigs: what increases and what doesn't
Government intervention is not limited to traditional cigarettes. With the entry into force of the new excise taxes, the cigar prices e finely chopped tobacco, while remain excluded, at least for now, the heated tobacco productsE-cigarettes, however, are also affected: starting in 2026, taxation on e-liquids will increase, with a rate set at 18% for those containing nicotine and 13% for those without. These rates are set to rise further in 2027 and 2028, thus broadening the impact of the measure on the entire tobacco industry.
The increases that came into force on 16 January 2026 concern 390 products in total, including cigarettes, rolling tobacco, and cigars. Currently, 86 brands of cigarettes and 22 rolling tobacco brands are involved, but the list is not yet definitive. Some of the most popular brands have already updated their price lists: Marlboro Gold they come at 6,80 euros per pack, the Chesterfield Original rise to 5,50 euros, while the Philip Morris Red They reach 5,80 euros. Further price increases are expected for other brands in the coming days.
Official cigarette price table 2026
The Customs and Monopolies Agency has published the official table with the new excise duties and updated prices for 2026, allowing a direct comparison with the price lists in force until 31 December 2025. Compared to last year, the list of products concerned appears smaller precisely because the price adjustment is progressive. The comparison, however, highlights one clear fact: the cost of cigarettes continues to rise.
Cigarette price increases in 2027 and 2028: how much further will prices rise?
The price increases effective today do not exhaust the budget's impact. The 2026 Budget Law also includes further increases for 2027 and 2028. According to government estimates, in 2027, the price of cigarettes is expected to rise by 10-12 cents per pack, while the price of rolled tobacco will increase by approximately 15 cents. A further increase of between 13 and 14 cents is expected in 2028 for both categories. The budget already includes a price simulation, which shows how these increases are expected to boost tax revenues, considering that tobacco already generates approximately €15 billion annually for the state coffers.
