Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Sam Boal/Photocall Ireland

Drogheda and Tallaght blackspots for illicit cigarettes

The research firm MS Intelligence examined discarded cigarette packs on the streets and in bins and found that Drogheda and Tallaght were the worst affected areas

ALMOST A THIRD of cigarettes smoked in a number of areas around the country come from the black market according to new research.

The research firm MS Intelligence examined discarded cigarette packs on the streets and in bins and found that Drogheda and Tallaght were the worst affected areas with 32.8 per cent of cigrarettes there coming from illicit trade. Athlone was close behind at 32.4 per cent.

The figures tally with similar research carried out by the Irish branch of a major tobacco firm earlier this year which said 28.2 per cent of all cigarettes sold here last year evaded the excise duty net.

The figures were released as part of a panel discussion on the black market that took place in Cork yesterday which estimated that illegal trading in Ireland costs the economy as as much as €1.5 billion each year. This is made up of an estimated €937 million in tax revenues lost by the exchequer and a further €547 million lost by retailers.

Business advisors Grant Thornton last month released a report on black market tobacco throughout the country and partner Brendan Foster says that cigarettes bought illegally have a negative impact beyond the lost tax income:

We must wake up and see that illicit trade, no matter what sector it takes place in, has a significant impact on both businesses and the government’s ability to implement its policies. It will be extremely challenging to implement public policy objectives on smoking if a quarter of Irish smokers buy their cigarettes on the black market, beyond the scope of any public health regulation.

As recently as Thursday Health Minister James Reilly had stated that it was the intention of the government to eliminate smoking in Ireland by 2025.

Foster says that Grant Thornton have recently opened practice in Cork City and is working with local businesses who he says are finding it difficult to compete against fraudulent goods being sold by organised crime gangs

Read: Almost 25,000 cigarettes seized by customs officers in Cork >

Read: Four arrested as nine million cigarettes seized in Louth >

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
18 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Adrienne Lyons
    Favourite Adrienne Lyons
    Report
    Oct 5th 2013, 9:27 AM

    I live in tallaght and proud of it. I’m not a smoker but I don’t blame people buying smokes on black market. If I smoked I would.

    58
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dalai Obama
    Favourite Dalai Obama
    Report
    Oct 5th 2013, 11:38 AM

    who wouldn’t? in fairness. I live in Limerick, I don’t smoke but four of my friends buy ciggs on the black market.

    As you said, I wouldn’t blame them, fcuk this government.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ireland Uncensored
    Favourite Ireland Uncensored
    Report
    Oct 5th 2013, 8:59 AM

    Lots of social welfare recipients who think nothing of handing our tax money over to criminals

    54
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bill Butler
    Favourite Bill Butler
    Report
    Oct 5th 2013, 10:22 AM

    i do not smoke but which criminals are we talking about here the ones that robed the state of 64 billion and no investigation only a cover up because if the truth ever gets out it will scare every investor from coming in here in to the corrupt hole

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Silverharp Harp
    Favourite Silverharp Harp
    Report
    Oct 5th 2013, 9:14 AM

    dumb laws and high taxes deserve to be flouted, the only reason that a bottle of beer does not cost 10 euros is because of a thing called the border. The petty little statists that keep trying to interfere in our lives should get themselves a copy of Sims and they can play god as much as they want and leave the rest of us in peace

    45
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute jack arse
    Favourite jack arse
    Report
    Oct 5th 2013, 9:31 AM

    Wait till o Reilly gets back from st claberts and puts the fags up again,figures will go through the roof

    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ronan o Chuna
    Favourite Ronan o Chuna
    Report
    Oct 5th 2013, 9:31 AM

    Anyone found buying illegal cigs etc should be on a 3 strike system to losing their medical card etc…. If you expect services to be provided by the state have the manners to support the state

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Denise Waterman
    Favourite Denise Waterman
    Report
    Oct 5th 2013, 8:57 AM

    Also densly populated areas?

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Garland
    Favourite David Garland
    Report
    Oct 5th 2013, 10:00 AM

    All you have to do is walk up Moore street and you’d see out widespread it is and also how inept the Gards are in stamping it out. There are without fail 4 or 5 people standing around all day everyday shouting “cigarettes” “tobacco” it doesn’t take Columbo to work out all you have to do is send a plain clothes copper down every now and again to catch them.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Deering
    Favourite Dave Deering
    Report
    Oct 5th 2013, 10:12 AM

    Can’t be doing that. Think of the paperwork. Easier to fine motorist.

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Skillington
    Favourite Tony Skillington
    Report
    Oct 5th 2013, 11:30 AM

    Anyone remember Barbara Stanwick in the tv show the Thorn Birds years ago calling Drogheda Droo gee da.? Nah…nah?.. Anyone?

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Hilary McDuffy
    Favourite Hilary McDuffy
    Report
    Oct 5th 2013, 9:00 AM

    That’s Smoking

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Irishowned
    Favourite Irishowned
    Report
    Oct 5th 2013, 9:08 AM

    You’re smoking

    42
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
 
1x
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
      Next upNext up:
      News in 60 seconds