Almost 80% of adults say purchasing tobacco from the black market or abroad is ‘understandable’ given the high cost of tobacco purchased legally in Ireland.
According to a new survey conducted by iReach for the smokers’ rights group Forest Ireland, 79% of adults agree that it is ‘understandable’ that smokers might choose to buy cigarettes from the black market or abroad where tobacco is often significantly cheaper than in Ireland.
That view was supported by 91% of smokers and 76% of non-smokers.
Taxation on an average pack of cigarettes in Ireland currently accounts for almost 80% of the total price. If excise duty is increased in the forthcoming Budget, 32% said they will buy more tobacco products when abroad or duty free in the UK; 13% will buy more tobacco on the black market; and 10% said they will buy more tobacco from sources, including friends, who are not legitimate retailers.
Urging finance minister Paschal Donohoe to freeze the excise duty on tobacco in the forthcoming Budget, Simon Clark, director of Forest, said:
“Another tax hike will encourage more smokers to buy even more tobacco on the black market because there is very little stigma attached to it. For most people, including non-smokers, it is understandable given the punitive levels of tobacco duty in Ireland.”
He added:
“Cigarettes cost more in Ireland than any other country in Europe, and one of the factors driving the price is excise duty. If the tax on tobacco is increased again more smokers will switch to the black market, or they will buy their tobacco abroad where the cost is often significantly cheaper.
“But why should consumers be placed in the invidious position of having to choose between punitively priced tobacco purchased legally in Ireland, and the far cheaper products that can be bought from illicit traders at home or duty free abroad?
“Punishing adults, especially those from poorer backgrounds, by raising the tax on tobacco is unacceptable and counter-productive. It will also hurt legitimate retailers, many of whom can ill afford the loss of business if consumers buy their tobacco from the black market or abroad.”
