The Irish Cancer Society has said that a 10 cent increase in the price of cigarettes announced in yesterday's Budget is "tokenistic" and "hugely disappointing".
In its pre-Budget submission the society had called for a 60 cent increase in the price of tobacco.
The Cancer Society says the government is viewing tobacco taxes as a revenue-raiser, despite the massive impact smoking has on people's health and productivity.
It's claiming that tobacco kills more people in Ireland than road accidents, suicides, drugs, farm accidents and AIDS put together.
"We have reason to believe that the Department of Finance sees it as a purely revenue issue," said
Kathleen O'Meara, head of advocacy with the Irish Cancer Society.
"It isn't - it's a public health issue.
"People are dying as a result of smoking. Putting on a large (price) increase at Budget time is a very useful weapon, and one which has been shown to work."
Source: Irish Examiner, 16/10/13
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