GST 40% Cigarettes Alcohol Memes Go Viral as Internet Reacts

Introduction

This week’s announcement of a 40% GST rate on cigarettes and alcohol products under the new GST 2.0 framework has gone viral on social media. Now, while those in the policy world might see the new tax rate to be punitive, attempting to deter people from consuming “injurious goods”, people on the internet were much light-hearted, launching into memes and one-liners all over X (formerly Twitter).

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📌GST 40% Cigarettes Alcohol Memes: What Changed in GST 2.0?

• Cigarettes and alcohol now fall under the highest slab of 40%.

• That’s a whole lot higher than previous rates.

• Well-played government; you’re doing a health study with all that revenue, I guess.

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💬 The Internet Weighed In With Humor

Within minutes of the announcement the meme makers began ripping off.

• Some users expressed it rather well: “weekend parties now an EMI plan”.

• Another said they would adopt homemade stuff rather than branded alcohol.

• The funniest meme was of a shocked-looking man with caption: “Cigarette ka packet ab gold ke saath locker”.

A sample of the best memes that have already gone viral.

1. A photo of a broken piggy bank with the caption: “Ye toh sirf Saturday night ka budget tha.”

2. An old Bollywood scene of friend not accepting a drink with the line: “Bhai, ab sirf juice chalega.”

3. A popular template of a man running away with the caption: “Middle class escapes liquor shops after 40% GST.”

Here are some memes famous on X:

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⚖️ Expert Opinion

Economists think that while the move will generate more revenue for the government, it will also increase the possibility of black market sales and smuggling, whereas, public health experts see positives that it can help reduce consumption.

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📌 Final Thoughts

Whether the tax increase actually impacts consumption will remain to be seen, but one thing is clear: Indians never miss an opportunity to have a good laugh about serious news. With memes and jokes trending across X, it’s safe to say that the GST 2.0 update has already become the internet’s comedic topic of the week!

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