Egypt's Ministry of Finance ratified a new increase to the prices of tobacco products on Monday. The price increase started on Thursday, with an additional increase of EGP 1 in the prices of imported brands. Egypt's largest tobacco producer Eastern Tobacco Company raised prices by 10-15 percent on Thursday, both to fund the comprehensive universal healthcare programme, the first phase of which was launched on 6 July, and as a reflection of value-added tax. The company lowered the price of the country's cheapest cigarette brand Cleopatra 'King Size' to EGP 15.5 per pack, after it was increased to EGP 16 last week. The Ministry of Finance retail list for cigarette prices is as follows: Merit/ Dunhill EGP 40 Marlboro (Red and Gold) EGP 37 Marlboro (Medium) EGP 35 Lucky Strike/ LM EGP 29 Camel EGP 34 Rothmans/Gualoises/ Winston EGP 27 Next/ B&S EGP 25 Pall Mall/ Viceroy EGP 24 Cleopatra (Black Label)/Time/Golden West) EGP 22 Cleopatra (Super) EGP 18 Cleopatra Box (Red, Gold, Blue)/Target EGP 17 Mondial/Boston/Light/Belmont EGP 16.5 Cleopatra (Queen) EGP 16 Cleopatra (King) EGP 15.5