Up to two-thirds of people would favour a doubling of the price of cigarettes, according to research released this morning.
The study, done by the MRBI for the Office of Tobacco Control, says 50 per cent of smokers would also support the price increase.
In the last Budget, a 12.7 cent price rise generated up to €37 million for the Exchequer, and a significant increase in taxes on cigarettes is expected in the Budget this year.
At a seminar on the economics of Tobacco Control, Mr Tim O'Malley, Minister of State at the Department of Health, said: "One of the most effective public health instruments in reducing tobacco consumption and, in particular, in preventing children from experimenting with tobacco products are economic interventions, particularly on price control.
"Removal of tobacco products from the CPI is necessary and the Government is committed to reaching agreement on this with the employers' organisations and the trade unions. Additional revenue raised through tobacco taxes can be used in the treatment and prevention of cancer, heart disease and other tobacco-related diseases," the Minister said.
A senior ASH Ireland source welcomed the report and said the organisation had campaigned for punitive price increases for tobacco products over the last ten years as international research showed price increases deliver in encouraging smokers to quit.
According to a 1999 World Bank report, a price increase of 10 per cent can reduce demand for tobacco products by about 4 per cent in high-income countries and by about 8 per cent in low-income countries.
The ASH spokesman urged the Government to use a significant portion of the extra revenue generated on medical means to help smokers to quit.