Emmet Stagg
Ceist:47 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Finance if he will set out the effect of the excise duty increase on tobacco in Budget 2000, both in terms of tax take and consumption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23483/00]
Written Answers. - Tax Yield.
It is assumed that the Deputy's question relates to cigarettes which account for in excess of 95% of all taxes generated by tobacco sales.
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that, based on sales of tobacco stamps, cigarette consumption for the first nine months of this year has increased by 0.85%, from 4.72 to 4.76 billion cigarettes, over the corresponding period in 1999. The provisional total tax take, composed of £463 million excise and an estimated £150 million VAT, has increased by 21.6% in the same period.
It is not possible to isolate in the figures shown the precise effect attributable to the Budget 2000 VAT inclusive increase because overall consumption levels are dictated by factors other than retail price alone, and the yield attributable to VAT is only an estimate because VAT returns are not completed in such a manner which would enable the precise yield from specific goods to be identified.