Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)

Excise duty on a packet of 20 cigarettes is being increased by 25 cent from midnight. This increase will be applied to other tobacco products on a pro rata basis at the same time.

While the VAT increase will apply to alcohol, I am not increasing excise on alcohol. There has been much discussion on the issue of low cost alcohol products being sold in off-licences, particularly supermarkets. I am aware of the social and health consequences of the availability of very cheap alcohol leading to the abuse of alcohol, particularly by young people. The Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Róisín Shortall, has developed a paper on the causes and consequences of alcohol abuse and in early 2012 will legislate to deal with the issues identified, including the low cost of alcohol sold in off-licences and supermarkets.

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