Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's budget rings in a huge hike in the cost of cigarettes.
The tax on cigarettes and other tobacco products has been hiked by 11 to 72 per cent. A pack of 20 cigarettes could now cost around Rs 300, which had many commenting that "smoking is now more injurious to wealth."
Mr Jaitley justified what he described as "healthy measures", telling reporters that it "doesn't break my heart" to increase excise duty on what harms people's health.
Soft drinks will also be more expensive and so will radio taxi services. The price of mobile phones, cars and jewellery will come down.
Essential Business Intelligence, Continuous LIVE TV, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.
