I'm just going to have to take a hit on cigarette price hike, says Finian McGrath

The price of a pack of 20 cigarettes is expected to rise by at least 30 cent after today's Budget announcement.

Minister of State for Disability Issues Finian McGrath has said that he will just have to deal with the increase.

"On that particular issue, I'm just going to have to take a hit and bite my tongue," he said.

"But no, I've no big issue [with the increase].

"Listen, if we can use the extra few cents in relation to the cigarettes so be it, we use it on the health services or disability services."