Russian cigarette prices predicted to rise

Analysts are predicting that Russian cigarette prices will go up to a minimum of  RUB82 a packet by 2018, after a bill proposing a minimum price of RUB55 was presented to the Duma Committee on Economic Policy, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development. Russian tobacco companies have already appealed to the Minister of Finance Anton Siluanova, claiming that the new rules will destroy domestic producers targeting the budget end of the market. Izvestia