Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 October 2023
540. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health his views on the present rate of the minimum excise duty on cigarettes, with particular reference to public health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43914/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraTobacco Free Ireland set an overarching goal of having Ireland tobacco free by 2025 (i.e., to achieve a smoking prevalence rate of less than 5% in the Irish population). Tobacco Free Ireland has a series of recommendations to facilitate achieving this goal which seek to denormalise tobacco use and to prevent young people from becoming addicted to tobacco products. This broad-based suite of recommendations includes, inter alia, the following measures related to raising taxes on tobacco products:
• Annual excise duty increases on tobacco products should be applied over a continuous five-year period.
• Increase duty on roll-your-own and other tobacco products to reduce the price differential between cigarettes and other tobacco products.
Significantly increasing the price of all tobacco products will decrease the initiation of tobacco use in younger and less well-off populations and will precipitate more cessation attempts in current smokers leading to a reduction in health inequalities and a positive impact on the health of the population. It would also begin to reduce the economic burden that tobacco use places across all aspects of our economy. It should also be noted that increasing the price of tobacco through taxation is regarded by World Health Organisation economists as a best-buy (effective and cost-effective) intervention.
Government Decision S180/20/10/1633, relating to Tobacco Free Ireland, recognised the evidence that pricing is a key means of reducing tobacco consumption and contains a commitment that “in recognition of the evidence that pricing is a key means of reducing tobacco consumption, that the Ministers for Health and Finance will together consider additional fiscal measures and those related to illicit trade”.
The level of taxation is ultimately a decision of the Minister for Finance. However, each year I make a pre-Budget submission to the Minister for Finance in relation to the excise duty on tobacco. The excise duty on a packet of 20 cigarettes has increased yearly by 50 cent since Budget 2016. I will continue to engage with the Minister For Finance in relation to the Minimum Excise Duty on tobacco products in order to achieve a smoking prevalence rate of less than 5% in the Irish population.
