Is the government losing control of cigarette taxes to the black market?

[patslatt]

The frenzy of tax increases in the past year is a huge boost to the black economy. The punitive taxes on cigarettes should be a lesson to the government that it would get more tax if it taxed less.

Anecdotal evidence from acquaintances suggests that there is a plentiful supply of cheap cigarettes in Dublin sourced from Eastern European countries.

[Mitsui]

Anecdotal evidence from acquaintances suggests that there is a plentiful supply of cheap cigarettes in Dublin sourced from Eastern European countries.

Don't buy them myself but so far as I'm aware there's a plentiful supply of cheap cigarettes in every hamlet in Ireland!

[mryoungdan]

Anyone still buying taxed cigs must surely be a fool

[Garydublin]

Were is the best place to buy cheap smokes as some people charge €4 and some charge €5 or €6 for a 20 box

[nonpartyboy]

what do the call it ? "the law of diminishing returns" or something.

[asset test]

The black market will win, notwithstanding the successes of Customs and the Gardai.

Smoking is just a no go area. Any reduction in taxes will give ASH nutters a coronary.

No excise on fags (smuggled), no excise on drink (Northern Ireland). But it won't change anything. The Government has to protect us from ourselves. Nannies.

[Digout]

I cant remember the last time I bought legit smokes.

[hammer]

We were in Spain on holidays. To help defray the cost of the trip we brought in about 10 cases for personal use. Saved us about €300 duty paid. One or two bottles of spirits as well.

The muppets in Dept of Finance have no idea how the real world works. Increase taxes, increase revenue. Rubbish.

See under VAT, VRT, Income Tax, Excise duty...............

[asset test]

We were in Spain on holidays. To help defray the cost of the trip we brought in about 10 cases for personal use. Saved us about €300 duty paid. One or two bottles of spirits as well.

The muppets in Dept of Finance have no idea how the real world works. Increase taxes, increase revenue. Rubbish.

See under VAT, VRT, Income Tax, Excise duty...............

4 cartons per person is the "indicative amount" for personal use. They can confiscate anything more than that if they want to. They are stopping and confiscating left right and centre (duty paid). It must be to protect the tax base. Ha.

The UK has 8 cartons as an indicative amount. Some free movement of goods and services within the EU so. But we are a Special Case, or a Basket Case, can't make my mind up on that one.

[hammer]

We are either part of the EU or not. In Malaga the cigarettes are duty paid. We should be entitled to a years supply !!!