China’s tax agency will raise taxes on cigarettes, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing state media. Taxes on higher-priced cigarettes will increase from 45% to 56%, and taxes on lower-end brands will rise from 30% to 36%. A 5% tax on sales from wholesalers to retailers will also be imposed. China has 350 million citizens who smoke, more than the entire population of the US, and public health advocates have long advocated for more policy to discourage smoking. However, it is unclear how much of this cost will be passed on to the consumer.
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