‘No evidence’ that tobacco ad ban linked to smuggling increase

Officials today rejected claims that the removal of point of sale advertising and display of tobacco products in shops has led to an increase in tobacco smuggling.

The Office of Tobacco Control (OTC) has said that there is no evidence to back up the claims.

“We have to stick with the facts and the facts are that there is no basis for any link between recent tobacco control measures and smuggling,“ said OTC Chief Executive Eamonn Rossi.

“Smuggling of tobacco is in itself a serious problem and we congratulate the Revenue Commissioners and the gardaí on their recent successes in tackling tobacco smuggling”.

Mr Rossi said that the removal of point of sale advertising and display was not expected to impact on tobacco usage in the short term, but was introduced as a long term strategic measure to protect children, in particular, from tobacco advertising.