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Anti-smoking lobby Ash Ireland said today it is “extremely concerned” by European Court of Justice ruling on Irish tobacco prices and said it would be seeking an urgent meeting with the Government.

“We will be in contact with the government on this vitally important matter. Ireland has and is permitted to have a separate tax regime to all other EU countries,” said Dr Angie Brown said. “It is our view that the Government has every right to apply taxes which ensures that tobacco is sold at current and even higher price.”