PETALING JAYA, MALAYSIA -  British American Tobacco Malaysia has announced a revision of its cigarette prices from today.

The increase, according to a statement from the company yesterday, was 'a result of the significant 20% excise increase, and taking into consideration the consequent impact of sales tax, trade margins and the higher than normal inflationary impacts on our own cost base, as global tobacco, paper and fuel costs have all increased by double digit amounts.'

The new prices range from RM7.50 to RM10 for a 20-stick pack, and RM5.50 to RM6.50 for a 14-stick pack.

A full price list can be viewed at the company's website (www.batmalaysia.com).

On Friday, the Government proposed in Budget 2009 that the excise duty on cigarettes be increased by three sen per stick to 18 sen, effectively increasing the price of a 20-stick pack by 60 sen.

The increase brought the total excise increase on cigarettes to 380% over the last five years.