Calls on Government to add €1 to price of cigarettes

AT LEAST €1 should be added to the price of a packet of cigarettes to discourage young people from smoking, the Office of Tobacco Control (OTC) said yesterday.

The body has called on the Government to implement the price hike by means of a tax rise on cigarettes in the forthcoming budget.

They also want a VAT reduction for nicotine replacement treatments such as patches and gum and to create a dedicated fund for health promotion.

Anti-smoking information campaigns and cessation services should be particularly emphasised on disadvantaged areas and the young, says the OTC.

Chief executive Eamonn Rossi said a “significant” price increase, supported by well-funded cessation services and information campaigns and more affordable replacement products will impact smoking prevalence in years to come.

“Some of the extra revenue generated by a €1 increase in tobacco excise duty, up to the value of €5 million, should be earmarked for investment in health promotion,” he said.

The OTC wants the VAT rate on replacement products to be reduced from 21% to 0% to encourage anyone who is considering quitting to use patches or other similar treatments.

Mr Rossi said that the potential to influence smoking behaviour through a price increase is considerable, especially in the younger age groups.

“Young people are traditionally resistant to public health messages and therefore the most influential factor in smoking behavioural change is price. An increase of a minimum of €1 will ensure that, in real terms, cigarettes will be far less affordable, ” he said.

A poll carried out for the OTC last year found that a price increase was one of the factors that would make smokers consider quitting.

A survey also found 59% of people supported doubling the price of cigarettes, including four out of 10 smokers.

“Building on progress in recent years it is imperative that we continue to increase prices in order to deter young people from taking up smoking and to reduce the number premature deaths from tobacco,” said Mr Rossi.

“It is estimated that in excess of 95% of smokers who quit before the age of 30 years will avoid a tobacco-related death.”