Did you know? Excise taxes currently account for nearly 80 percent of the final price of cigarettes in Slovakia.
BRATISLAVA – Slovakian smokers are bracing for another hit to their wallets. Starting February 1, 2026, a new wave of excise duty increases will impact not just traditional cigarettes, but also the increasingly popular alternatives, with the government anticipating a boost in revenue.
Price Hikes Loom for Smokers Across Slovakia
The new tax rates will affect all tobacco products, with estimates suggesting price increases ranging from 15 cents to over 1.60 euros per item.
- Cigarette prices are expected to rise by 40 to 50 cents per pack.
- Heated tobacco products will likely increase by 15 to 20 cents.
- A 30-gram pack of loose tobacco will see a price jump of more than 1.60 euros.
- Manufacturers warn that absorbing further tax increases is becoming impossible.
- Concerns are growing about a potential surge in the illegal cigarette market.
The excise duty adjustments, taking effect February 1, 2026, will ripple through the entire tobacco market. While retailers and manufacturers ultimately determine shelf prices, preliminary projections paint a clear picture of what consumers can expect. A pack of cigarettes could increase in price by approximately 40 to 50 cents. Heated tobacco products are anticipated to become 15 to 20 cents more expensive, and a 30-gram pack of loose tobacco will jump by over 1.60 euros.
Manufacturers contend that their ability to absorb these higher taxes is nearly exhausted. Currently, excise duty and value-added tax (VAT) comprise almost 80 percent of the final cost of cigarettes, leaving a slim margin for production, distribution, and retail. Repeated tax hikes have a compounding effect, potentially driving some consumers toward cheaper, unregulated options.
According to data from the European Commission, up to 21 percent of the population smokes in Slovakia. Some are already responding by crossing borders to shop in countries with lower consumption taxes, particularly Poland. However, experts warn that a more significant issue is the expanding illegal cigarette market. Approximately 400 million illegal cigarettes were consumed in the country in 2025, with the majority being dangerous counterfeits from questionable sources.
Producers suggest that increasing consumption taxes raises a critical question: at what point do further price increases cease to generate more revenue for the state and instead fuel the growth of the black market? Consumer behavior in the coming months will reveal the true impact of these new taxes.
