Archive · 16 Sep 2026
ITC Raises Classic Connect and Gold Flake Prices Again
ITC has made two cigarette products more expensive again.
A 20-cigarette pack of Classic Connect now costs ₹428.
A 10-cigarette pack of Gold Flake Super Star now costs ₹89.
These prices were previously ₹390 and ₹79.
The increases follow new tobacco taxes introduced on February 1.
Those taxes include a 40% GST rate and an additional excise duty.
ITC and other companies have raised prices to help cover the higher tax costs.
Some people support the increases because they may discourage smoking, while others say smokers may continue buying cigarettes despite the higher prices.
A 20-cigarette pack of ITC’s Classic Connect now costs ₹428, up from ₹390.
A 10-cigarette pack of Gold Flake Super Star now costs ₹89, up from ₹79.
The latest increases represent rises of 9.74% for Classic Connect and 12.66% for Gold Flake Super Star.
The revisions follow February changes that imposed 40% GST and additional excise duty on cigarettes and tobacco products.
Dealer checks show revised-price packs entering shops, while analysts warn higher prices could pressure cigarette volumes.
- Who
- ITC, cigarette consumers, cigarette manufacturers, dealers, and analysts are involved.
- What
- ITC increased the prices of Classic Connect and Gold Flake Super Star cigarettes.
- When
- The latest revisions were reported after multiple increases during the year; the tax changes took effect on February 1, and revised-price packs are now entering shops.
- Where
- The revised-price packs are entering the retail market; the articles do not identify a specific location.
- Why
- The increases follow higher tobacco taxes, including 40% GST and additional excise duty, which raised manufacturers’ tax burden.
Supporters of Higher Prices
Critics and Concerned Consumers
Effect on smoking
Supporters of Higher Prices
Some social media users supported repeated price increases, saying cigarettes should become expensive enough to discourage smoking.
Critics and Concerned Consumers
Other users said the increases would change little because smokers would continue smoking despite higher prices.
Effect on the market
Supporters of Higher Prices
ITC’s price increases help cushion the company against the higher tax burden created by the new GST and excise-duty structure.
Critics and Concerned Consumers
Nomura cautioned that higher retail prices could put pressure on cigarette demand and sales volumes.
- Classic Connect price
- ₹428 for a 20-cigarette pack, up from ₹390.
- Classic Connect increase
- ₹38, or 9.74%, according to the report.
- Gold Flake Super Star price
- ₹89 for a 10-cigarette pack, up from ₹79.
- Gold Flake increase
- ₹10, or 12.66%, according to dealer checks.
- Tax change
- Cigarettes and other tobacco products moved to a 40% GST rate from February 1, alongside additional excise duty.
- Additional excise duty
- For cigarettes, the duty ranges from ₹2,050 to ₹8,500 per 1,000 sticks, depending on length and whether the cigarette has a filter.
- Earlier revisions
- Classic Connect rose from ₹300 to ₹360 and then ₹390; Gold Flake Super Star rose from ₹59 to ₹70 and then ₹79.
