26/09/2013

Health Groups Call For Tobacco Tax 'Escalator'

Two health groups have called on the government to include a tax 'escalator' of 5% above inflation on cigarettes and tobacco products in next month's budget.

This would average about 60c being added to their cost.

In a meeting with the Oireachtas Health Committee, the Irish Cancer Society and Irish Heart Foundation also called for the appointment of a tobacco regulator in an effort to curb the industries "excessive" profits. The groups claim that this could result on an additional tax yield of €65m a year.

It is understood that the health bodies claim that tax receipts for the industry in 2012 were €1.42bn, which is less than the €2bn smoking-related health care bill.

(MH/JP)

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