Tobacco.org

• 800 million black market cigs smuggled in each year  

THE true number of cigarettes imported illegally into Ireland is more than 800 million a year, it is claimed.

Revenue and gardai seized a haul of 120 million cigarettes in Greenore, Co Louth, worth an estimated €50m this week.

Yet the average penalty for trading in illegal cigarettes -- €423-- is "farcical" and should be increased, a TD said.

"The Government must send a message to the middlemen who trade illegally in tobacco by imposing hefty fines," said Fine Gael justice spokesman, Charlie Flanagan.

Jump to full article »