Charities call for cap on tobacco industry profits

Two organisations are calling for tax increases in the tobacco industry in next year's Budget.

In their pre-budget submission published today, the Irish Cancer Society and the Irish Heart Foundation are calling for a regulator to propose a cap on tobacco profits.

The Head of Advocacy with the Irish Heart Foundation, Chris Macey, explains why they want these issues addressed.

He said: "The taxpayer is subsidising the tobacco industry to the tune of €500m. An industry that's creating virtually no employment and is making profits that we are estimating at €104m per year, which it takes out of the country.

"It's a drain on our health system, it's killing people and it's just bizarre."