Written answers

Wednesday, 18 April 2012

Department of Finance

Illicit Trade in Tobacco

10:00 pm

Photo of Seán KyneSeán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 236: To ask the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question Nos 32 to 35, 38, 41 and 42 of 14 March 2012, when he expects the further survey from the Revenue regarding the illicit cigarette trade to be published; if he will detail the role, if any, the Revenue has taken in working with the tobacco policy review group in the Department of Health; the role, if any, the Revenue plays in working with the Department of Health or the Health Service Executive regarding the illicit cigarette trade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19339/12]

Photo of Michael NoonanMichael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners, who are responsible for the collection of tobacco products tax, and for tackling the illicit trade in cigarettes and tobacco products, that the further survey referred to by the Deputy has now been completed and the results will be published shortly. This survey is the latest of three surveys jointly commissioned by Revenue and the Office of Tobacco Control in the Department of Health in order to estimate the proportion of cigarettes consumed in the State that had not been taxed in this jurisdiction. The earlier surveys were in respect of the years 2009 and 2010 and these estimated that 20% of cigarettes consumed in the State had not been taxed in this jurisdiction. This figure was further broken down as 14% illicit product and 6% legally imported by passengers arriving into the State from other jurisdictions. Based on the estimate of 14%, the loss to the exchequer from illicit cigarette consumption during 2009 and 2010 would be in the region of €250m (excise duty + VAT), per year. There is on-going close co-operation and sharing of information between Revenue and the Office of Tobacco Control in relation to their respective areas of responsibility in relation to all aspects of the tobacco market.

I am advised that a group composed of representatives of the Department of Health and the Health Services Executive is undertaking a review of tobacco policy and that it will consult with other relevant public bodies, including the Revenue Commissioners, in the course of its work.

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