Kathmandu. The government has increased excise duty on cigarettes and alcohol. Presenting the budget for the coming fiscal year, Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle has announced a 10 percent increase in excise duty on cigarettes and alcohol.

Finance Minister Wagle said that the tax policy has been introduced with the objective of reducing health risk and increasing revenue. At the same time, the price of cigarettes and alcohol in the Nepali market is also going to increase.