Tobacco tourism

IN response to Martin Southgate’s letter on tobacco smuggling (September 27), here’s a far more effective idea: make Ireland a tobacco tourist destination.

We reduce the cost of cigarettes in line with or below the rates of Spain, Poland, etc. That would end smuggling and boost tourist revenue.

My partner and I are frequent tobacco tourists to Spain. Over a weekend, we’ll spend two nights in a hotel, dine out and purchase a three-month supply of cigarettes. The benefits to the local Spanish economy are obvious.