Cigarettes and alcohol prices hiked — Budget 2023

True to tradition, finance minister Enoch Godongwana has hit smokers and drinkers hard in the pocket.

Godongwana has increased sin taxes or excise duties by 4.9% for the 2023/2024 financial year.

This will see the price of a 340ml can of beer rising by 10c, with a 750ml bottle of unfortified wine now up by 18c.

A 340ml can of a cider and other alcoholic fruit beverages will also cost 10c more.

Whisky connoisseurs and consumers of other spirits such as vodka and gin will also pay an additional R3.90 for a 750ml bottle.

Cigar smokers have been the hardest hit in sin tax hikes, who will now pay R5.47 per 23g.

A packet of 20 cigarettes will go up by 98c, while a packet of 20 heated tobacco sticks will cost 73c more.

Customs and excise duties are a significant revenue stream for government, contributing R137.9bn to the next financial year’s budget.

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