Revenue’s Customs Service seized five million cigarettes with a retail value of almost €2.4m at Rosslare Europort, it emerged today.

Reduced income as a result of the recession and high levels of government duty on a 20-pack of cigarettes is driving tobacco smuggling, according to manufacturers.

Britney Spears has been barred from exclusive Los Angeles club Winston's after allegedly forcing a bartender to switch dresses with her at a Halloween party.

Alleged collusion with smugglers will end up costing Philip Morris International a billion dollars (€827m) if the company's payoff offer is accepted by the European Union.

British American Tobacco and RJ Reynolds Tobacco have agreed to merge their US tobacco businesses, uniting the nation’s second and third largest tobacco companies in an effort to blunt the attacks of sagging sales and cheaper brands.

A judge in San Diego has fined RJ Reynolds Co more than €20 million for violating the terms of a US tobacco agreement by running magazine adverts aimed at teenagers.