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Campaigners slam call to introduce new tax on e-cigarettes

Mon 5th October, 2020

Forest Ireland has criticised calls to introduce a new tax on e-cigarettes and further increase the cost of cigarettes in Ireland.
 
The Irish Heart Foundation wants the Government to introduce an excise tax of 6c per millilitre of e-cigarette liquid in next week's Budget.
 
The IHF also wants the price of a pack of 20 cigarettes to increase to €20 by 2025 from its current level of €13.70.
 
John Mallon, spokesman for Forest Ireland, said:
 
"Introducing a tax on e-cigarette liquid makes no sense. 
 
"Over 200,000 people vape in Ireland. E-cigarettes have helped many of them quit smoking completely. 
 
"Increasing the cost of vaping may discourage thousands more from switching to a reduced risk product that may improve their health."
 
He added:

"The tax on tobacco is already at punitive levels in Ireland. 

"Increasing the cost of cigarettes disproportionately hurts those on low incomes.

"This is no time to further punish adults who enjoy smoking and don't want to quit."

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