Anti-smoking group calls for 60c price hike in budget

An anti-smoking group is calling for a 60c increase in the price of a pack of cigarettes in December's budget.

Ash Ireland says over 900,000 smokers in the country smoke 6bn cigarettes every year and a significant price increase is the best weapon in the fight against the habit.

It says 5,700 die of tobacco-related illnesses every year and the government has to take a leadership role in the effort to cut that number.