Jakarta, Oct. 14 -- Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said the government has no plans to raise the retail sale price (HJE) of cigarettes or increase the tobacco excise tax (CHT) in 2026.

"So far, I have not thought about it," Sadewa said in Jakarta on Monday.

He explained that keeping the excise rate unchanged while increasing cigarette prices would widen the gap in efforts to curb illegal cigarette circulation. If the price of legal cigarettes rises, more consumers may turn to illegal products.

"The price gap will widen further, which could encourage the spread of illegal goods," he added.

The minister also said that raising excise taxes would contradict his earlier decision to cancel the planned tax hike for next year.

Purbaya...