Price of cigarettes increased by 50c
The price of a packet of 20 cigarettes is to increase by 50c from midnight tonight, Finance Minister Brian Lenihan has announced in his Budget speech today.
The price of a bottle of wine is also increase by 50c.
Irish Heart Foundation has expressed its disappointment at what it called a 'token tax increase'.
Dr Brian Maurer, Medical Director Irish Heart Foundation said: "It is well proven that price is the most effective deterrent to young people taking up smoking and to encourage existing smokers to quit.
"As the national charity fighting heart disease and stroke, the Irish Heart Foundation is extremely frustrated by the Government’s failure to increase the price of a pack of 20 cigarettes by at least €1.
"An increase in tobacco tax was sorely needed in this Budget and the Irish Heart Foundation feels badly let down by the Government’s token increase of 50 cent on a packet of 20 cigarettes. Yet again it has failed to protect another generation of our young people from the horror of nicotine addiction."
Smoking causes 25% of all coronary heart disease deaths and 11% of stroke deaths, according to the IHF.
