Tax on chewing gum is to be increased steeply, Finance Minister Edward Scicluna announced in the budget speech today.

The increase was made necessary because of the costs the government incurs in cleaning up public areas of gum.

Tax on cigarettes will also be increased, as happens in most Budgets, as is the case for beer and wine.  The average price of cigarettes will increase by 30c. 

Excise duty on cement will rise by €5 per ton. The increases come into force tomorrow.

The minister said the process of removing eco-tax will continue next year, but equivalent excise duty will be imposed on products seen as harming the environment, such as plastic bags and plastic bottles.