Martin pushes for 50c price hike on cigarettes

HEALTH Minister Micheál Martin is to push for an increase in the price of cigarettes by 50 cent in December’s budget.

If agreed by Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy, the price hike would be introduced just weeks before the blanket ban on smoking in pubs and restaurants.

A spokeswoman for Mr Martin confirmed yesterday that an increase was being discussed as the budget approached. She said the proposed increase would likely play into the hands of the introduction of the proposed workplace smoking ban in January.