Classic, Gold Flake or Marlboro: How your cigarette bills may get costlier from February 1

From February 1, 2026, cigarettes will cost more -- and it’s not just the brand that matters. Short sticks see smaller hikes, but king-size and premium variants, including Ice Burst, could get ₹5–5.5 pricier per cigarette. GST still applies, but the new excise duty makes size the real driver: bigger sticks, bigger tax, bigger hit to your wallet.