Vol. 508 No. 1
400 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Finance the increase which would have to be levied by way of excise duty on a packet of 20 cigarettes for the State to obtain an extra £70 million in taxes over a period of three years; and if he will give the increase in percentage and monetary terms. [17970/99]
As the Deputy will appreciate, all changes in excise duty rates are considered in the context of the preparation of the budget each year.
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that a once off increase of 8.5p on a packet of 20 cigarettes would yield an estimated £70 million additional tax over a three year period. This increase is inclusive of VAT and represents an increase in the region of 2.64 per cent on the average price of a packet of 20 cigarettes.
