Qatar increases alcohol tax to 100 percent.
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Wednesday, January 2, 2019The Qatari state will increase the “sin tax” for alcohol drinks by 100%. The policy was revealed by the Qatar Distribution Company, the country’s only alcohol store, in a 30-page list of new prices for beer, wines and spirits, citing the introduction of a 100 per cent ‘excise tax’. The list was widely shared on social media and showed drinks doubling in price overnight, as it detailed charges which come into effect from January 1.
With the new levy, a 100cl bottle of Bombay Sapphire gin will now cost 340 Qatari riyals (£73) and a 75cl of Shiraz wine from South Africa will be sold for 86 riyals (£18.50). A 24-pack of Heineken 330ml beers will now cost 384 riyals (£84).The issue of alcohol is likely to be a sensitive subject in the run-up to the World Cup in four years’ time. Tournament organisers in Qatar have said alcohol will be available for fans in designated areas, but not in public spaces, out of respect for the country’s traditions.