Almost all brands of Bulgarian cigarettes cost between 0.10 and 0.50 leva more, Bulgarian broadcaster bTV reported on April 28.

The higher prices came as a result of an excise hike as of January 1 this year. The excise hike has had a delayed effect because Bulgaria’s cigarette maker Bulgartabac had to sell excess quantities of cigarette packs with the old excise stamps first.

Currently, only Bulgaria’s most popular cigarette brand is sold at its old price.

The bulk of imported cigarettes are still with old excise stamps. Yet once the stock is sold out the price of a cigarette packet, depending on the brand, will be between 0.20 and 1.10 leva more, the higher price referring to packets with 40 cigarettes.

Meanwhile, international concern British American Tobacco (BAT) announced it would increase the price of its mid-range cigarette brand Pall Mall from 2.50 leva to 2.60 leva.

At the same time, Carelia Bulgaria reverted Karelia King size, Karelia Blue and Karelia White to their pre-December 2007 prices. This represents a cut by 0.40 leva.