Qatar introduces 100 per cent ‘sin tax’, doubling price of alcohol overnight

World Cup 2022 host Qatar has introduced a massive tax on alcohol, doubling the price overnight after rolling out its ‘sin tax’ on January 1.

A government official confirmed the 100 per cent tax on alcohol, which led to long queues of people ahead of the rollout, who wanted to stock up on cheaper booze.

The ‘sin tax’ was introduced just weeks after the conservative Muslim Gulf state announced in its annual budget statement that it would introduce a levy on “health-damaging goods”.

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.

When asked if the document was genuine, a government spokesman told AFP: “it is true”.

With the new levy, a 100cl bottle of Bombay Sapphire gin will now cost 340 Qatari riyals ($AU135, 81 euros) and a 75cl of Shiraz wine from South Africa will be sold for 86 riyals ($AU34, 20 euros).

A 24-pack of Heineken 330ml beers will now cost 384 riyals ($AU152, 92 euros).

In comparison, the same case of beer in Australia costs $45 and a bottle of Bombay Sapphire is $75 at Dan Murphys.

It is legal to buy alcohol in Qatar with a permit, and also to drink in licenced bars, clubs and hotels — although drinking in public is banned.

The issue of alcohol is likely to be a sensitive subject in the run-up to the World Cup in four years’ time.

Critics say the levy has been introduced as an attempt to claim back money spent on hosting the event.

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.

Qatar says the move is to wean people off addictive substances.

It’s reported the tax also includes an increase in the price of cigarettes and energy drinks by 100 per cent and soft drinks by 50 per cent.