July 1, 2010CAIRO (AP) -- Egypt is implementing a new tax on tobacco products, raising cigarette prices by as much as 40 percent in this heavy smoking nation.
The new tax hopes to curb smoking in the Arab world's most populous nation and help fund health and social service programs.
The increase, which took effect Thursday, was approved in late May. The tax would raise the price of cigarettes by as much as 40 percent while a 100 percent duty is added to tobacco used in the shisha, or water pipes.
World Health Organization figures show the number of smokers in the country has grown over twice as fast as the population over the past 30 years.
Health Ministry officials say the new tax is expected to generate about $345 million in additional revenue.
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