Minister: Govt to increase tax on cigarettes

A Department of Health Minister has said that the Government is to bring in a tax increase on cigarettes.

Minister of State Tim O'Malley said there is a huge cost to tax payers who do not smoke in paying for health care for people who do.

According to a survey carried out by the MRBI for the Office of Tobacco Control, almost two thirds of people in the country would support a doubling in the price of cigarettes, including about half of those who smoke.

A significant increase in taxes on cigarettes is expected in the Budget in December.

12.7 cent was added to the price of 20 cigarettes in last year's Budget.

The findings of the survey will be unveiled at a Office of Tobacco Control seminar at the Royal College of Physicians.