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The Irish Cancer Society has asked the Government to increase the price of cigarettes by €2 in the upcoming Budget in its pre-budget submission to TDs and Senators today.

It says the price increase will encourage young people not to start smoking, encourage smokers to quit and generate €320 million in revenue for the State.

Speaking today, the society’s head of advocacy and communications Kathleen O’Meara said increasing the price of cigarettes ‘was a powerful weapon in the fight against cancer.’

“Without this and other tobacco control initiatives, it is inevitable that the rate of smoking will increase and with it, the rate of illness associated with tobacco. This weapon is in the Government’s hands. We urge them to use it,” she said.