Taxes up

The Czech government has approved a Finance Ministry proposal to impose a higher consumer tax on tobacco, spirits and gambling, reports Radio Praha.

The tax on cigarettes and tobacco will most likely go up by 10 percent, increasing state revenues by approximately CZR10 billion ($431 million) a year. If approved by Parliament and signed by President Zeman the amendment would come into effect January 2020.

According to Czech Finance Minister Alena Schiller, the justification for the increased tax on vices is due to the salary growth and increase in purchasing power among the average Czech citizen over the past decade.