Exchequer losing €750 million on illegal cigarettes

Illegal cigarettes are a common problem

Retail Ireland, the IBEC group that represents the retail sector, has welcomed the seizure of 59,000 illegal cigarettes in Fermoy, Co Cork over the weekend.

The group said over 1.8bn cigarettes smoked in Ireland are sourced from the black market, costing the Exchequer up to €750m every year in lost taxes.

Commenting on the issue, Retail Ireland Chairman Frank Gleeson said: "The seizure in Cork over the weekend is just the tip of the iceberg. Retail Ireland estimates that almost 30% of the Irish cigarette market is made up of illicit product, with over 1.8 billion of cigarettes smoked in Ireland sourced from the black market.

"This illegal trade has a devastating impact on retailers, which are already struggling to keep people in jobs. We estimate this activity costs the Exchequer up to €750m per annum in lost taxes. This money flows right into the hands of criminals. We need to see urgent action from Government, including investment of more resources into detecting cigarette smuggling, to put an end of criminals reaping large amounts of money from black market trade."

TAGS: Exchequer, illegal, cigarettes

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