The price of a pack of cigarettes doubled for Saudi Arabian smokers on Sunday (June 11th) under first-time tax measures to help the kingdom cope with a drop in oil revenues, AFP reported.
The "selective tax", effective Sunday, raised the price of tobacco 100%, to between about 18 riyals ($4.80) and 24 riyals ($6.40) per pack.
The cost of energy drinks also doubled and the price of soft drinks rose 50%, according to the General Authority of Zakat and Income Tax.
Saudi Arabia's implementation of the new tax follows an agreement among the six Gulf Co-operation Council nations, and is in line with International Monetary Fund recommendations.
GCC states also intend to introduce a value-added tax of 5% on certain goods in 2018.
