'It punishes people who are addicted': Some opposition TDs question €1 hike on cigarettes
The Irish government has increased the price of cigarettes by €1, bringing the cost of a pack to over €20. While officials argue the hike discourages smoking, opposition TDs criticize the move as an ineffective substitute for public health policy that disproportionately affects the elderly.
Why it matters
The debate highlights the tension between using 'sin taxes' to influence public health behavior and the potential economic burden placed on vulnerable populations.
THE PRICE OF a packet of 20 cigarettes rose by €1 from midnight on Tuesday night, pushing a box to over €20.
“Smoking continues to kill so many Irish people every year. It is important that we continue to discourage and dissuade people, particularly younger people, from smoking,” Harris said as he announced the price increases.
However, a number of TDs have questioned the rationale behind the price hike, with some calling out the government for failing to hit its tobacco-free Ireland targets in recent years.
The government believes increasing the cost by €1 will prevent people from smoking, but some TDs disagree.
Kerry TD Danny Healy-Rae said he is against the increase, stating that many elderly people are addicted to cigarettes.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in