OREANDA-NEWS. April 05, 2010. Belarus considers adjusting alcohol and cigarette excise tax rates, a source close to the government told.

“A draft presidential ordinance has been prepared to set new excise tax rates on alcohol and cigarettes depending on their price segment [there are three segments – low, with prices per pack standing below 1,400 Belarusian rubles (Br), medium, with prices ranging from 1,400 rubles to 2,500 rubles per pack, and high, with prices per pack exceeding 2,500 rubles] and cigarettes that are not priced. The document is being discussed now,” the source said.

The most recent version of the document suggests reducing the excise tax rate on the low-priced cigarettes 8.3% to 6,100 rubles per 1,000 units, and raising the excise tax rate 22.48% on medium-priced cigarettes to 15,310 rubles, and 22.49% on high-priced cigarettes to 25,270 rubles.

There is no definite decision as to the rates of excise taxes yet, though.

Excise rates are set by the Special Part of the Tax Code.