Higher taxes on cigarettes should be a key Government priority alongside a major new crackdown to combat tobacco smuggling.
At the Irish Heart Foundation, we want a €1.55 hike on a pack of cigarettes to discourage youth smoking – as evidence clearly indicates it is a myth that higher prices lead to increased smuggling.
Revenue data shows that 26% of cigarettes smoked in Ireland are illegal – the vast majority contraband of commercial brands bought outside the country and smuggled in.
The Tax Strategy Group’s latest paper on excise estimates a notional loss to the Exchequer of €684 million from the illicit market in 2024.
In our pre-Budget submission, we have included that the ‘biggest lever’ to discourage young people from starting smoking is a high tax regime.
"High taxes don’t mean high smuggling. For example, the price of a pack of 20 cigarettes is the equivalent of almost a euro higher in the UK, but its smuggling rate is almost half that of Ireland’s.”
Chris Macey, Director of Advocacy and Patient Support with the Irish Heart Foundation
“Since the turn of the century the UK has reduced the illicit market by 90% whilst tripling the price of a pack of cigarettes.”
The WHO and World Bank say that non price factors such as the presence of established criminal networks, social acceptance of illicit trade, the likelihood of being caught and what penalties will be imposed are far more important factors.
“If the State doesn’t put up tobacco tax, the cigarette companies will rise the price anyway, transferring revenue from the Exchequer straight onto the bottom line of big tobacco.
“As well as the health implications, the proceeds of smuggling and crime have been shown to fund people trafficking, terrorism and drug trafficking, so it is not a victimless crime.
“We need to review average sentencing and fines for cigarette smuggling; when you compare the penalties against the damage being done, the punishment doesn’t seem to fit the crime.”
“And we need a tough new anti-tobacco smuggling strategy that fully resources the Revenue Commissioners to tackle this menace more effectively.”
Tthe Government also needs to fast track last year’s promised 50c/ml tax on vapes, and an awareness campaign helping people to quit – neither of which have been rolled out.
Mr Macey said these measures are ‘not something we can do at our leisure’, adding: “Every day that goes by, more kids are going to be lost to lifelong nicotine addiction.”
We are also imploring the Government to fully implement the National Stroke Strategy and ensure the National Review of Cardiac Services is properly funded.
A free menopause-focused GP visit for women aged 45-55, including blood pressure and cholesterol screening would be introduced.
On the environment front, the Irish Heart Foundation says a crucial measure should involve €200million allocated annually to the National Transport Authority to guarantee the 20% reduction on all public transport fares and the 50% young adult card discount is made permanent.
In addition, €500,000 should be set aside annually to fund authorities to monitor and enforce air quality legislation.
The fuel allowance should be increased by €9.50/week and the cycle to work scheme expanded beyond PAYE workers.
Budget 2026 offers an important opportunity to focus investment in areas that could yield substantial benefits for CVD patients, promote public health and prevent future disease and death.
