Japan has imposed a 40% tax hike on cigarettes, effectively raising the price on most brands by a third, to curb smoking.

The finance ministry said the increase, which lifted the price of the popular Mild Seven brand to 410 yen (3.61 euros) per pack, will raise 63.1 billion yen over the first year.

But officials at the health and finance ministries say the primary goal is to encourage smokers to quit.

Japan Tobacco, the world's third-largest tobacco maker, said 36.6 per cent of Japanese men smoked, down from about 50 per cent a decade ago. The rate among women is 12.1per cent.