Only 63% of cigarettes sold legally

The CSNA warns that only 63% of cigarettes consumed in Ireland are sold through legal outlets, as high prices and weak enforcement drive shoppers to cheaper, unregulated sources.

CSNA warns high taxes and weak enforcement fuel illegal tobacco sales, hurting licensed Irish retailers

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Legal guide

Read More: CSNA Government Marlboro

It is not unreasonable to expect that if businesses pay the State an annual license fee for the privilege of selling tobacco products legally in the country, there would be a countervailing obligation on the State to ensure that those legitimate licensees will be the only persons permitted to provide said products to the tobacco-consuming public, the CSNA states.

It is providing a map of Europe showing the retail price of a pack of Marlboro Red 20 in each European country, assembled by the Austrian State Tobacco Monopoly to show the enormous differential in retail prices across Europe.

As long as travellers from Ireland to European destinations, be they within or outside the EU, are permitted to avail of Duty Free or Duty Paid tobacco products and bring them into Ireland, Irish licensed retailers will suffer from an unbalanced marketplace.

As the Irish Government continues to pursue a high excise policy for tobacco, knowing that such a policy has the effect of driving consumers to seek less expensive channels it is manifestly unfair to the indigenous retail industry to place a huge annual levy without curtailing the black, grey and magpie markets.

Read more: CSNA urges delay on licence applications

© 2026, ShelfLife by CSNA

Read More: CSNA Government Marlboro

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