Retailers urge Govt not to raise tax on cigarettes

Retailers are calling on the Government to leave the tax on cigarettes unchanged in December's Budget.

Retailers Against Smugglers says its members are being forced to cut jobs because of money lost to smuggled cigarettes.

Last year, almost €490m is estimated to have been lost to the black market and the group is calling for tougher penalties for smugglers.

Spokesperson William Hanley says it's difficult to get the message across to the public that they are funding criminal gangs.