Tobacco concept seen as ‘bizarre’

Two organizations are calling for tobacco industry tax increases to be included in Ireland’s budget for next year, according to a story in The Irish Examiner.

In their pre-budget submission, the Irish Cancer Society and the Irish Heart Foundation (IHF) are calling, too, for a cap on tobacco profits.

“The taxpayer is subsidising the tobacco industry to the tune of €500m,” said the IHF’s head of advocacy, Chris Macey.

“An industry that’s creating virtually no employment and is making profits that we are estimating at €104m per year, which it takes out of the country.

“It’s a drain on our health system, it’s killing people and it’s just bizarre.”