Cigarette Prices in Ukraine to Jump Nearly 10% Starting April 1, 2026 Due to Higher Excise Taxes.

Ukraine’s Cigarette Excise Hike: What You Need to Know

According to Novyny.live: Starting April 1, 2026, Ukraine will raise excise duties on cigarettes, pushing retail prices up by nearly 10%. This tax adjustment remains in effect until December 31, 2026, and aligns with the Tax Code’s requirement that excise taxes must account for at least 60% of a cigarette’s retail price. In 2025, that share stood at just 58.8%, making the increase necessary to meet the legal threshold.

At the beginning of 2026, the excise obligation was set at €82 per 1,000 cigarettes. From April onward, it will climb to €90.20 per 1,000 cigarettes. A coefficient of 1.1 will be applied to calculate the excise tax for the period from April through December 2026. The relevant Ukrainian Customs Codes (UkrZED) for cigarettes are 2402 20 90 10 for non-filter and 2402 20 90 20 for filter varieties.

Pricing Trends in the Tobacco Market

As of March 2026, average cigarette prices in Ukraine range from 124.20 to 144.60 hryvnias per pack. A mid-range pack increased by just 1.60 hryvnias between January 2024 and February 2026. The highest cigarette prices in the country are recorded in Zakarpattia Oblast, where a pack costs 144.60 hryvnias.

Consequently, the planned excise hike is expected to significantly reshape pricing strategies in the tobacco market. Given the rising excise share and accompanying legislative changes, consumers should brace for further price increases in the near future.

Raising cigarette excise taxes is part of Ukraine’s broader public health strategy aimed at reducing tobacco consumption and improving population health outcomes.

Higher cigarette prices may alter consumer behavior, potentially driving smokers to switch to cheaper brands or quit altogether. This shift could also impact state revenues from excise collections, a key factor for Ukraine’s budget in the coming years.