Heart Foundation 'strongly regrets' €2 not added to cigs

The Irish Heart Foundation (IHF) has welcomed the 50c increase on a pack of 20 cigarettes announced in today’s Budget.

However, the Foundation said it "strongly regretted" that the Minister did not add €2 as it had recommended.

"This is the first increase on tobacco price in three years – and it is not as significant an increase as is needed," the IHF said.

IHF CEO Michael O'Shea said: "€2 is the level of increase needed to have a significant impact on smoking levels. Cigarettes are a highly addictive killer and price is well established as the best way of disincentivising young people from taking it up."