Cigarette smuggling ‘epidemic’

CIGARETTE smuggling is costing the state hundreds of millions of euro in lost levies.

The illegal trade is reaching epidemic proportions and one estimate, for the losses to the exchequer per year by the end of 2010 of excise duties and VAT, has been put at €750 million.

The claim was made yesterday by the Irish Tobacco Manufacturers Advisory Committee (ITMAC). It represents the big three cigarette companies – Gallaher, Players and Carrolls.