I move amendment No. 72:
In page 95, subsection (2), line 23, to delete "1995" and substitute "1996".
SECTION 72.
Amendment agreed to.
Question proposed: "That section 72, as amended, stand part of the Bill."
Does the stamping of cigarettes in this country help to control or reduce the number of cigarettes imported here on the black market?
We do not have definite information on that. However, there are still many imported cigarettes for sale at competitive prices on the main shopping streets. It is a problem but it is too soon to see how effective the enforcement and stamping provisions are. I will try to get more up-to-date information for the Deputies.
I welcome the change in section 74 in relation to the forfeiture of cigarettes which are not stamped in shops and retail outlets. Last year when we discussed this issue I brought it to the Minister's attention that a lot of money can be made from cigarettes. This fact was brought to my attention by people in the business. Colossal amounts of money could be made from a van load of cigarettes. The people involved in the business told me that a person could make hundreds of thousands of pounds in a few transactions.
The average price of a packet of 20 cigarettes is £2.80, depending on what one buys. Of that £2.80, the manufacturer gets 46p, the retailer gets 23p and we get the rest. The revenue take on tobacco is £600 million.
That is unbelievable.
Keep smoking.
What about cigars?
Question put and agreed to.