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Join on Telegram Rabat – Morocco’s Administration of Customs and Indirect Taxes (ADII) has announced a price increase for certain brands of manufactured tobacco, effective from April 1, 2024.
The decision comes following an order from the Minister of Economy and Finance, with a circular issued on March 29 listing the new prices for several already approved brands.
The affected brands include popular ones like Casa, Fortuna Mix, Fortnua Red, Fortuna Blue, and Gauloises Sunrise, among others.
Moroccan news outlet Le360 shared a comprehensive list of the affected brands along with their updated prices.
The adjustment in prices aims to regulate the tobacco market and potentially curb consumption.
The move, which will impact the pockets of smokers, follows previous adjustments made to tobacco prices in Morocco earlier this year. The increase ranged from 1 to 2 dirhams per pack, depending on the brand.
The hike was implemented as part of tax reforms outlined in the 2022 budget, aiming to gradually increase the domestic consumption tax (TIC) on tobacco products from 2022 to 2026.
The specific purpose is to boost revenue collection by targeting both smokers and industry operators to align with government fiscal objectives.
Tobacco consumption remains a significant public health challenge globally, including in Morocco.
A recent report from the World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that Morocco ranks 7th in Africa for tobacco consumption, with over 3.4 million adult smokers nationwide.
It also noted a significant gender gap in smoking prevalence, with a 27% rate among men compared to a less than 0.5% among women.
In addition, it highlighted an alarming trend of smoking habits being passed to the younger generation, particularly among young Moroccan boys and men.
