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# budget 2022
Most packets of cigarettes will now cost €15 after 50c tax hike
This is the sixth year in a row the price has increased by that amount.
A PACKET OF cigarettes will now cost an extra 50 cent.
The increase was announced this afternoon as part of Budget 2022.
This is the sixth year in a row the excise duty on a packet of 20 cigarettes has been increased by that amount.
Smokers can now expect to pay €15 for a packet in the most popular price category.
Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe described the increase as a way of supporting Ireland’s public health policy to reduce smoking in society.
There will be a pro-rata increase on other tobacco products.
The increase is expected to be worth €56 million to the exchequer.
The Irish Heart Foundation said today’s announcement fell short of what is required to tackle an upsurge in tobacco use among young people.
The organisation had previously called for the price of a packet of cigarettes to rise to €20 by 2025, which a €2 hike this year, and an excise tax on e-cigarette liquid of 6c.
Retailers Against Smuggling raised concerns that today’s price hike would fuel cigarette smuggling.
