'Tax unpaid on more than half of cigarette packs surveyed in Limerick'

MORE than half of cigarette packs recovered in Limerick as part of a major survey did not have Irish duty paid on them.

That’s according to a study commissioned by one of Ireland’s largest tobacco manufacturers, JTI Ireland.

Almost one-fifth of these discovered in Limerick were found to be counterfeit cigarettes, the assessment also claimed.

Staff from research group WSPM spent a month-and-a-half analysing discarded cigarette packs collected from public locations.

They recorded the apparent origin of the packs, tax markings and authenticity as part of an assessment of non-domestic and counterfeit tobacco products in the Irish market.

It found 53% of packages recovered in Limerick were classed as non-Irish duty paid.

Of this total, 18% were illegal counterfeit smokes, manufactured without authorisation from the owners with the intent to deceive customers and avoid paying tax.

Survey commissioner JTI Ireland – a major player in Ireland’s tobacco market – estimates that the Exchequer loses around €1bn a year in duties on non-Irish duty paid cigarettes.

Government figures put the loss from illegal tobacco products at €758m in 2025.

JTI Ireland produces brands like Benson and Hedges, Silk Cut, Mayfair and Amber Leaf.

It also produces nicotine pouches under the Nordic Spirit brand.

Around 5,000 empty packs of cigarettes were collected randomly from streets and public bins across Ireland’s 22 largest cities and towns between February 16 and April 3, 2026 to form the bedrock of the survey.

Commenting on the findings, Daan van Hamersveld, director of corporate affairs and communications at Japan Tobacco International Ireland said: “These findings show a significant issue with illegal counterfeit cigarettes in Limerick. The Government’s own figures show that illegal tobacco products cost the state over €750m in lost taxes in 2025 alone, while at the same time undermining legitimate retailers and providing income for organised crime groups.”

"When legal non-Irish duty paid products are included, retailers across the country are losing out on over €1bn in lost turnover annually as smokers increasingly turn to lower priced illegal and other non-Irish duty paid cigarettes. At the same time, the smoking rate has remained stable since 2019, suggesting smokers are simply seeking alternative channels in response to tax increases rather than quitting.”

Mr van Hamersveld said Government needs to adopt a “more moderate approach” to increases in tobacco excises.

This, he added, needs to be paired with stronger enforcement.