Cigarette prices will rise from April 1: what will change for Ukrainians

Prices will increase in the spring

From April 1, 2026, cigarette prices in Ukraine are expected to increase by about 6%. On average, a pack will become more expensive by about 8 hryvnias – from 134.6 to 142.7 hryvnias, although the final cost will depend on the brand and manufacturer.

The reason is the new excise rate

The increase in price is due to the introduction of a coefficient of 1.1, which will be applied to the excise tax on tobacco products. It will be used in cases where the share of excise in the price of products is lower than 60%. According to the results of 2025, this figure was 58.8%.

The new rate will be valid from April 1 to December 31, 2026 and will apply, in particular, to cigarettes with and without a filter.

Long-term state policy

The increase in excise taxes is part of the gradual approximation of Ukrainian legislation to EU standards. Although earlier the growth rate was planned to be faster, due to the war the schedule was revised – now full equalization is expected by 2029.

Not only the budget, but also health

In addition to filling the state budget, the price increase also has a social goal – reducing tobacco consumption. This practice has long been used in the countries of the European Union and is considered an effective tool in the fight against smoking.