'Sin taxes' set to go up

Whether the higher duties will result in consumers paying more for their favourite drink or cigarette depends on the level of comfort of the import and distribution giants controlling the bulk of local imported liquor and tobacco trade.

According to the schedule of proposed increases published recently, import duty will rise on alcoholic items of various strengths ranging from fortified and unfortified wine, vermouths, ciders, brandies, gins, liquors, whiskies and rum. Import duty also rises on tobacco products, including cigarettes and cigars, pipe tobacco and other substitutes.