Budget a chance to call bluff of the tobacco industry, says cancer charity

The upcoming budget offers the Government an opportunity to call the bluff of the tobacco industry, according to the Irish Cancer Society.

The link between illegal smuggling of cigarettes and increases in tobacco taxation is a myth that needs to be challenged, the Society yesterday told the Oireachtas Finance Committee.

As part of their pre-budget submission, the cancer society called for a ‘price escalator’ on cigarettes that would see an annual increase of 50c.