Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 July 2017
116. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Finance the amount a person currently pays for the cheapest roll-your-own tobacco product, RYO, and the cheapest pack of cigarettes in a shop; his views on whether the minimum RYO pack size of 30g will likely lead to increased illicit RYO products on the black market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33599/17]
View answerI am informed by Revenue that the current price of the cheapest 30g pack of roll your own tobacco product is €14.50 and the current price of the cheapest pack of 20 cigarettes available on the retail market is €9.00.
The European Union (Manufacture, Presentation and Sale of Tobacco and Related Products) Regulations 2016, made by my colleague the Minister for Health, require that retail packets of roll-your-own tobacco contain tobacco weighing not less than 30 grams. This has been introduced by the Minister with effect from May 2017 as a public health measure and follows on from a range of such initiatives in the tobacco market in recent years.
It should be noted that while the minimum size of a roll your own packet that can be purchased has increased, the price per kilo to the consumer is not affected and it is not clear if the change will lead to increased demand for illicit supplies. Ireland, like all countries with high tobacco prices is an attractive target for smuggling. The priority for dealing with the smuggling of illicit tobacco products continues to be the effectiveness of enforcement action by Revenue. Such action includes risk analysis and screening of cargo and postal products, cooperation at national and international level and effective use of detection technologies. Revenue also target the illicit trade at post-importation level by carrying out intelligence-based operations and random checks at retail outlets, markets and private and commercial premises. The Government has also ensured through the Finance Acts over recent years that Revenue has the statutory powers necessary for undertaking its important work against the illegal tobacco trade, including enhanced Revenue powers of search and inspection for illicit products. I am assured by Revenue that action against illegal activity involving tobacco products will continue to be a high priority.
