High tax the real reason for cigarette smuggling

IN response to Michael O’Shea of the Irish Heart Foundation regarding cigarette smuggling into Ireland (Letters, April 23), the Minister for Finance is perfectly correct when he states it is the result of high taxation on cigarettes.

If offered a product in one shop for €9 and in another for a mere 60 cents, both being the exact same thing, I know what most people would choose to do. Smugglers will always see an opportunity in an area where a price is falsely inflated. The most respectable people will avail of a bargain when they perceive they have been wronged by officialdom.

But, of course, it doesn’t have to be illegal. The head of Customs & Excise some weeks ago clarified the situation for us. If you travel to any country in Europe, you can buy as much tobacco product as you wish in any shop there, but keep the receipt. Because, by definition, local EU taxes are paid on everything, it is perfectly legal to bring these home for your own use.