FOR the past 16 years, the government has been delving deeper into the pockets of smokers and those who love their fermented waters. It has consistently raised what is referred to as "sin taxes".

• 1997: Tobacco prices increase by 52 percent, bringing the tax, including VAT, to 50 percent of the retail price. Smokers have to pay an extra 27 cents per packet of 10. Pipe tobacco goes up R2,49 per kilogram. The news for drinkers is equally sobering. Beerprices increases by 3 cents per can, sorghum beer increases by 2 cents per litre, wine by 8 cents per 750ml bottle; cane spirits and whisky a by 66 cents per 750ml bottle.

• 1998 : Price of tobacco increases by 29 percent, 46 cents more for a packet of 20 cigarettes. A can of beer costs 1,6 cents more, cider is up by 9 cents and bottle of wine by 5,9 cents.

• 1999: Packet of 20 cigarettes is up by 41 cents.
   
• 2000: Packet of 20 cigarettes up by 38 cents.
   
• 2001: Packet of 20 cigarettes up by 33,8 cents to raise R779 million tax revenue.
   
• 2002: Beer and ciders are raised by 8 percent. Packet of 20 cigarettes up by 34 cents per packet.
   
• 2003: Beer and ciders are raised by 10 percent. ·Packet of 20 cigarettes goes up by R3.89. These excise measures will raise additional revenue of approximately R907 million.
   
• 2004: Cigarettes up by 64 cents a packet. Beer is up by 4,3 cents per 340 ml can.
   
• 2005: Tax on beer is raised by 11cents per 750ml bottle while duties on spirits are increased by R1,47 per 750 ml bottle. A packet of 20 cigarettes cost 52 cents more.
   
• 2006: Tax on cigarettes tobacco, pipe tobacco and cigars will increase by 10 percent, five per cent, eight percent and five percent, respectively. These increases will raise R1,4 billion in revenue.
   
• 2007: Tax on a packet of 20 cigarettes goes up by 60 cents. Tax on a 340ml can of beer goes up by 5 cents
   
• 2008: Bottle of wine is up by 33 per cent and a beer up by 43 percents.
   
• 2009: Trevor Manuel decides to "discouraging another category of atmospheric emissions" and increases the price of cigarettes by 13 percent.
   
• 2010: Tax for alcoholic beverages will be reviewed. Gambling is subjected to various forms of taxation.
   
• 2011: Duties on alcoholic beverages increase by between 4.5 and 10.3 per cent . Packet of cigarettes up by 10,2 cents.