Licit cigarette sales plummet after Macau tax hike

Sales of licit cigarettes in Macau have dropped by about two-thirds following the tripling of tobacco excise, according to a Business Daily story quoting one retailer.

The government hiked tobacco excise last month, from MOP0.5 a stick to MOP1.5 (US$0.19)

“Our sales have plunged 60 per cent to 70 per cent following the implementation of the new tax…,” said the general manager of Hing Cheong Hong Tobacco Company, Sunny Iao, during a telephone interview.

“Other industry retailers, as I know, have also experienced such drops in their sales.”