Office of Tobacco Control welcomes tobacco price increase in budget

The Office of Tobacco Control (OTC) has today (Tuesday, 14 October) welcomed the Government’s decision, announced in the Budget, to increase the price of a packet of cigarettes by 50 cent.

Following the third budget increase in as many years, the OTC’s CEO, Éamonn Rossi, explained the importance of regular price increases.

“There is overwhelming evidence to support the view that tax increases are the most effective and efficient instrument in reducing tobacco consumption. Such increases incentivise those who have started smoking to quit while also discouraging experimentation by young people with tobacco products.”

“As young people, in particular, are traditionally resistant to public health messages, price is therefore the most influential factor in reducing the numbers of young smokers in our society.”

“It is imperative that we continue to increase prices going forward building on the progress of recent years. This will reduce the numbers of young people starting to smoke. In addition, research for the Office carried out by TNS MRBI in August 2007 looked at the reasons why current smokers would consider quitting. Some 44% of respondents stated that a price increase/cost was a key factor in this decision.”

Mr. Rossi concluded, “While we acknowledge that price increases alone will not solve the tobacco epidemic, such increases are the single most important instrument available to Government and will reduce the number of premature deaths from tobacco.”