Jobs at risk due to falling cigarette sales in pubs

Vending machine operators are reportedly warning of impending job losses due to a dramatic fall in the sale of cigarettes in pubs since the introduction of the Government’s workplace smoking ban.

Reports this morning said figures compiled by the Irish Cigarette Machine Operators showed that such sales were down by between 50% and 60% since March 29, when the ban came into effect.

The ICMOA said 250 jobs were at risk in the coming weeks if the low sales continued.

This morning's reports said newsagents had also experienced a slight drop in cigarette sales due to the smoking ban, while pharmacies had experienced a 15% increase in the sale of nicotine replacement products.