Trinidad and Tobago: Beer prices still down after prime-minister said duties on beer will increase 30%
Most bar owners have not increased their alcohol and cigarette prices although Prime Minister (PM) Patrick Manning, in the budget presentation on October 04, said the increase would have immediate effect, Trinidad and Tobago’s Newsday released October 07.
Bar owners told Newsday that they will wait until they receive new stock to prevent charging consumers more money for the present stock. Bars such as Pancho’s, The Well and The Gulf Pub were still filled to capacity with alcohol and cigarette consumers, who were also having lunch. The retail price of a Carib and a Stag remained at $7 to $9 and Royal Stout and Carlsberg were still at $9.
Many of Pancho’s consumers were drinking and smoking while telling Newsday they will still drink and smoke, although they will have to pay more.
One consumer said “drinking is a form of socialisation” and people like to drink and relax. Another argued that “people might buy weed and cocaine instead of buying cigarettes and alcohol since it will be cheaper.”
Consumers in other bars shared the same views as those in Pancho’s and even added that “the PM thinks he is the saviour of the nation by taking away online games and now he wants to take away our choice also.”
The PM announced in the budget that the import duty on tobacco products of Common Market origin, and the tobacco tax on extra-regional tobacco products, will increase by 15 percent and import duties on rum, beer and other alcoholic products from extra-regional sources will be increased by 30 percent.
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