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SALES OF CIGARETTES have dropped dramatically in Ireland during the recession, falling by over 10 per cent in 2010 alone.
Sales of rolling tobacco, which is cheaper than cigarettes, have soared during the same period. Consumption of illegal cigarettes is also believed to have increased as the increased excise on legal cigarettes in recent Budgets has pushed low-earning smokers towards the black market.
Figures from the Revenue show that just over 4.1 billion cigarettes were sold legally in Ireland last year, a drop of over 10 per cent from the previous year.
Sales of cigarettes have dropped by almost a quarter in the last five years alone. The high cost, coupled with more effective anti-smoking education campaigns, have led to a decrease in the number of people smoking.
Sales of lower-cost rolling tobacco jumped by almost 60 per cent between 2008 and 2009, increasing from 128 tonnes to almost 220 tonnes.
Despite the decrease in sales, the revenue earned for the Exchequer from cigarettes remains on a par with five years ago at €1.1 billion due to duty increases on cigarettes.
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I bet the sale of black market fags are up by a similar amount.
€5 a pack is the current price apparently. God knows whats in them.
possibly, they would need to publish the figure on matches and lighters to show up the true picture
I got a hand written note in the door this morning. 200 cigarettes for 30 euro.
That’s just because I gave up.
Me also.
Me too
Gave up the filthy smokes 11 months ago after 15 years. never been more pleased with myself for sticking to it. hopefully sales keep going this way
I remember some years back an article in the Readers Digest that said that a particular brand of rolling tobacco had 20% of the UK market even though it was not even sold over the counter by the company that made it. It was all smuggled in and was costing the Exchequer a small fortune in lost duty and taxes.
Combination of increased black economy and less smokers I would think. If they put more duty on cigarettes at budget time, the black economy will be laughing.
Good news on the lung cancer front
You think so? I’d have thought people smoking unfiltered rollies or god knows what’s in them illegal imports would be more, rather than less, susceptible to lung cancer…
And that’s before we factor in the reduction of the subsidy that smokers pay towards everyone’s health service…
If everyone’s starts smoking again the economy would re bound in no time, massive revenues, fewer pensioners you know it makes sense. Mines a benson and hedges. One rule you can only buy cigarettes if you have private health insurance from a uk or German insurer.
Give me a pack of Goldflake or Players any day
The issue is pretty universal see:-
http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/research/factsheets/pdf/0336.pdf
Tips ( no pun intended) for the Finance Dept.
have your say