The special consumption tax on gas announced by the finance minister last week takes effect today.

Finance Minister Audley Shaw announced the almost nine dollars per litre tax while opening the budget debate.

But former president of the Jamaica Gasoline Retailers Association, Trevor Heaven is warning that motorists could be faced with even higher costs for gas.

Yesterday, a day before the tax was implemented, some gas station operators particularly in the corporate area reported that they had run out of petrol as motorists stocked up in anticipation of the imposition of the tax.

Mr Heaven said motorists would get a short reprieve, as the entire cost associated with the tax is not expected to be passed on today.