Campaigners have criticised the announcement by Minister for Finance Michael McGrath in the budget of an excise tax hike of 75 cent on a pack of 20 cigarettes, bringing the price to €16.75. A part of Budget 2024, an increase was announced on the price of a packet of cigarettes by 75 cent, with a new domestic tax will also be introduced on e-cigarettes. The tax on e-cigarettes is set to be introduced next year. This decision has been criticised by lobby group Forest Ireland, with spokesperson John Mallon claiming people are being punished for "enjoying a perfectly legitimate habit." "Smokers don't deserve this. Annual tax hikes on tobacco are punishing consumers for enjoying a perfectly legit... [Read more]