Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 July 2014
653. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health on the back of the Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill 2014, if he has considered removing the maximum price on a packet of cigarettes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31096/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that there is no maximum price applied to a packet of cigarettes in this jurisdiction. Tobacco Free Ireland, our latest policy document in the area, sets a target of lowering smoking prevalence to below 5% by 2025. It notes that research has found that pricing is a key tool in the efforts to control smoking and in particular preventing children and adolescents from taking up the habit. Higher prices have been found to induce current smokers to quit and to lower consumption among those continuing to smoke. Taking this into account, Tobacco Free Ireland recommends increasing annual excise duty on tobacco products price over a continuous five year period. In Budgets 2012, 2013 and 2014 increases in the price of cigarette and roll your own tobacco, in the amounts of 25 cent, 10 cent and 10 cent respectively, were both sought and received.
