Irish Heart Foundation slams failure to raise tobacco tax

Irish Heart Foundation has said the Government has "kow-towed to the vested interests of the tobacco lobby" after the Government failed to increase tobacco taxes in the Budget today.

Irish Heart Foundation CEO, Michael O’Shea said: "We are extremely disappointed with the decision not to increase the tax on tobacco products and put the health of our nation first. Instead the Minister for Finance has kow-towed to the vested interests of the tobacco lobby. Mr Lenihan has fallen for their false allegation that higher prices will increase smuggling.