Cigarette price hike ‘falls short’

ANTI-SMOKING groups have criticised the increase of 50c on a packet of 20 cigarettes as a missed opportunity and a “complete failure by this Government to protect the health of our population”.

The Irish Cancer Society accused the Government of allowing the tobacco industry to “prey on young people” by not imposing a bigger hike on the price of tobacco.

“The Government has lost its way in terms of trying to protect young people by allowing the tobacco industry free access to them,” said Irish Cancer Society chief-executive John McCormack.