The buying of illegal cigarettes is growing at a rapid rate in Ireland, according to figures from the Irish Tobacco Manufacturers Advisory Committee. Twenty-three of the 26 counties had illegal cigarette activity in 2011, up from 15 counties in 2010.
Increases in VAT and excise have pushed the price of cigarettes to nearly €9 a pack, while illegal cigarettes are available on the streets for about a third of that. As a result, people are being pushed towards buying on the black market, the industry body said.