Smoking prevalence

Smoking prevalence in Ireland was estimated at 29% of the population in 2008.

Source: Irish Office of Tobacco Control

Market

The total cigarette market in Ireland was estimated in 2008 to be 5.1 billion cigarettes.

Source: ITL Ireland, distributors of PML

Price

The price of the most often purchased brand is € 8.45 for a pack of 20 cigarettes.

Tax

Tax (including 21.5% VAT) represents approximately 79% of the retail sales price of a packet of cigarettes. According to the Irish Revenue, the total tobacco excise duty revenues for Ireland in 2008 was €1.2 billion. Recent figures published by the Commission on Taxation indicated that the loss in tax revenue to the Irish government as a result of the illicit tobacco trade may be anywhere between half a billion and three quarters of a billion euro a year.

Source: Philip Morris Limited internal

Retailers

There are approximately 17’500 retailers selling cigarettes in Ireland. These include off-licences, forecourts, newsagents, wholesalers, bars and independents among others. According to the Convenience Stores Newsagents Association (CSNA) which represents 1,500 small and medium sized retailers around the country, about a dozen stores are closing down each week.

Manufacturers

Japan Tobacco International, JPS, British American Tobacco, Philip Morris International