In Portugal we have more less the same thing since last year , in 2013 you could buy 200 grams of virginia leafs for 4/5 euros or 500 grams for 9/10 euros , agricultural product , we just pay one tax the VAT 6%.
So the lobby from the big companies start to work , and the government applied a new tax , 0.12 euros per gram , and tobacco not escaped from this new tax .
Next year this new tax will increase to 0.135 euros per gram.
So with this new law, the only option is you know very well the leaf producers, now me and my leaf provider we are smugglers
, if we pay the new tax does not pay the work.
The other solution its seed our own tobacco , something i will try next spring, for the first experience i will try maybe 20/30 plants.