While trying to wean people off harmful and unhealthy substances, Qatar has expanded the costs of tobacco items, cigarettes, caffeinated drinks and carbonated beverages.
With impact from January 1, the costs of cigarettes and caffeinated drinks were doubled while sugary beverages got dearer by 50 % following presentation of “sin” tax.
The “sin” tax was introduced just weeks after Qatar declared in its annual budget that it would introduce a levy on “health-damaging goods” such as tobacco products, energy drinks and carbonated beverages. Selective Tax Law includes a 100 % tax on tobacco and its products and energy drinks, and a 50 percent tax on sugary drinks.
“This decision will help people to get rid of bad and unhealthy habits such as smoking.
Now, the rise in prices will make it harder for those who are just starting to smoke,” expat said, reported Qatar Tribune.
“Those who can’t quit smoking will now start to look for other stuff,which may eventually lead them to quit this habit.”
Amer Darraoui, another resident, said, “I always wanted to quit smoking, but I needed a good start. Well, after hearing the news about this decision I have quit smoking.”
“Going to the gym is a healthy habit but what is unhealthy was the heavy consumption of energy drinks, which adversely affect the people’s health in the long run. I used to see young people heavily consuming energy drinks especially while smoking. Now that their prices have gone up, I think the consumption will reduce significantly,” another sportsman said.
Many parents welcome the decision to impose tax on energy drinks.
Presently, a pack of Marlboro cigarettes that used to sell for QR11 costs QR22. The cost of a box of Pall Mall expanded from QR5 to QR10, announced the Gulf Times.
As per the new prices, a 250ml can of Red Bull energy drink presently costs QR9.50, up from QR4.75 before the expansion. The 355ml can sell for QR14 (QR7 before ).
The 500ml Monster energy drink and the Monster Khaos Drink used to move for QR11.25 however now cost QR22.50.
The cost of a 355ml Power Horse energy drink has bounced from QR5.75 to QR11.50, detailed Gulf Times.
Carbonated soft drinks have additionally grown dearer. A 355ml can of Mountain Dew and Pepsi that used to be sold at QR1.50 now costs QR2.25. A 500ml bottle of Sprite presently costs QR2.75 (before QR1.75).
Additionally, the cost of a 500ml bottle of Coca-Cola has gone up from QR2 to QR3.
The 7UP 150ml can and Fanta Orange 150ml can, and also the Coca-Cola Light 150ml can and Mirinda Orange 150ml can used to sell for QR1.25 and now cost QR2, while the Coca-Cola 355ml aluminum bottle is currently at QR10.25 (QR6.75), reported Qatar Living.
Tag: Qatar , Qatar News , Alcohol , Cigarettes , energy drinks get costlier