Cigarette, pan masala to get costlier from Feb 1 as govt imposes new excise duty, cess

The central government has imposed an additional excise duty on tobacco products like cigarettes and a health cess on pan masala, which will be effective from February 1. Moreover, pan masala, cigarettes, tobacco and similar products will now face a GST of 40%, while biris will attract a GST of 18%. The new levies will be over and above GST.