Campaign to crack down on cigarette smugglers to be launched in airports

A special campaign is to be mounted in airports from next month aimed at cutting down on illegal cigarette smuggling, which is costing the State millions of euro in lost revenue.

Smuggling is also depriving retailers of revenue and an umbrella organisation representing them is behind the campaign.

Retailers Against Smuggling (RAS) is planning to start its campaign in Cork Airport and on the Dublin-Cork Aircoach with posters warning that cigarette smuggling is a criminal offence.