Some traders and supermarkets have been found charging consumers with a ten cents tax on the use of every plastic bag.

Consumer Council of Fiji Chief Executive, Premila Kumar says traders and supermarkets must wait for the application of the new tax which will commence from the first of next month.

Premila also told FBC News they have received complaints on price increase of cigarettes, alcohol and carbonated drinks.

“We have generally seen if there is any increase in duty and taxes like the plastic tax of ten cents, although it should be coming into effect on the first of August, there were some traders who could not wait till that date because it’s an increase and it’s about gain. So they immediately started charging ten cents per plastic bag whereas on the other hand when the duties were increased for products like alcohol, cigarettes and sugar sweetened beverages, it does not mean taxes should be increased over-night, it simply meant that those taxes will apply on the new shipment of goods."

Consumer Council says traders and supermarkets should engage in ethical practices and consumers to properly utilize the use of plastic bags.