Ireland is the first country in the EU to ban the display of tobacco products.
General
There are approximately 17,500 retailers selling tobacco products in Ireland. In 2008 smoking prevalence was approximately 29% of the population and the total cigarette market was estimated to be 5.1 billion cigarettes.
The price of the most often purchased brand is € 8.45 for a pack of 20 cigarettes of which 79% is tax. Read more
Legislation
Ireland is the first country in the EU to have banned the display of tobacco products. The ban entered into effect on 1 July, 2009. Read more
Illicit Trade
Ireland has the highest level of illegal cigarette sales in the EU with over 1 in 4 cigarettes being sold illegally.
Illegal cigarettes have doubled in the past 2 years. Read more
Media
“Newsagents' group opposes tobacco retailing legislation”
The Irish Times, 26 March, 2009
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The survey provides an indication of the incidence of non-domestic or counterfeit cigarettes in Ireland.
In Ireland a tobacco retailer in conjunction with a tobacco manufacturer have started legal proceedings against the government to seek to overturn the ban.