Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 June 2013
554. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on the suggestion that one third of all cigarettes sold here are illegal; his views on whether removing the labelling from cigarette packs will do anything other than fuel the already considerable illegal trade and make matters much worse than they actually are; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29178/13]
View answerThe Revenue Commissioners, in conjunction with the Health Service Executive National Tobacco Control Office, have commissioned Ipsos MRBI to conduct research amongst smokers about the source of their cigarettes since 2009. The 2011 survey reported that 15% of all smokers were classified as having an illegal pack. The survey identified 8% as Non-Irish Duty Paid. The survey further found that of the 15% classified as illegal packs, 13% were contraband, 1% were counterfeit and 1% were illicit whites.
The Revenue Commissioners, who are responsible for tackling the illicit trade in cigarettes and tobacco products, have advised that the tax stamp which contains a range of sophisticated security features, is a key means for them to distinguish between legal and illegal products, irrespective of the way in which cigarettes are packaged.
