Cigarette Prices Soar Before GST Hike: Consumers Exploited, Where to Complain?
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News18•20-01-2026, 11:45
Cigarette Prices Soar Before GST Hike: Consumers Exploited, Where to Complain?
- •Cigarette prices have increased by 2-3 rupees per stick even before the official GST hike on tobacco products, effective February 1.
- •Shopkeepers are selling Rs 10 cigarettes for Rs 12 and Rs 18 ones for Rs 21-22, citing stockist price increases.
- •This black marketing is rampant in both small towns and metro cities like Delhi and Mumbai, with shopkeepers profiting from old stock.
- •Charging above MRP is illegal under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, and the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
- •Consumers can complain via National Consumer Helpline (1915, 1800-11-4000), consumerhelpline.gov.in, e-Daakhil portal, or offline with local police/Legal Metrology Department.
Why It Matters: Consumers face illegal price hikes on cigarettes before GST changes; multiple channels available for complaints.
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