Group urges Govt to impose €1 rise on packet of cigarettes

Ash Ireland is seeking an increase of €1 on a packet of 20 cigarettes in the budget.

The group said the Government could generate €100m for the economy by putting 50 cent on a packet of 20.

It also said if a 50 cent levy per packet is imposed on the tobacco industry, the money could be spent on dealing with the environmental pollution caused by tobacco waste, as part of the widely accepted "polluter pays" principal.