The price of cigarettes is increasing again in Romania starting with April 1, 2026, after the increase in the specific excise tax on cigarettes established by order of the Ministry of Finance.
The measure is part of the fiscal calendar for alignment with the European taxation level and could lead to new increases in shelf prices, in a context in which the cost of living remains high, writes Gândul.
According to the order signed by the Minister of Finance, Alexandru Nazare, the specific excise tax on cigarettes increases from 543.81 lei to 584.025 lei for 1,000 cigarettes. The increase represents an increase of approximately 7.4%, the difference being over 40 lei per thousand cigarettes. The regulatory act was published in the Official Gazette of Romania, Part I, no. 252 of March 31, 2026. As a rule, such tax increases are transferred, at least partially, to the final price paid by consumers, which means that smokers can expect further price increases in the coming period, Gândul also reports.
The excise tax increase is part of the fiscal strategy through which Romania must gradually align the level of taxation of tobacco products with the requirements of the European Union. Taxes applied to cigarettes represent a major component of the final price. In addition to the specific excise tax, the price also includes VAT, as well as production and distribution costs. For this reason, any change in excise taxes is quickly reflected in the market, and producers and traders usually transfer a significant part of these costs to consumers.
The increase from April 1 is the third increase in cigarette prices since the beginning of the year. The first increase was applied on January 1, 2026, when excise taxes were increased for several excise products, including alcohol and tobacco. Later, in February, the price of a pack of cigarettes increased again, by approximately 30 bani. The excise tax increase will most likely be reflected in the final price of cigarette packs. Calculated in relation to the new tax level, the increase of over 40 lei per 1,000 cigarettes means approximately 0.80 lei for a pack of 20 cigarettes. In practice, the price increase at the shelf could vary between 50 bani and 1 leu per pack, depending on the brand and the commercial policy of manufacturers and retailers.