No Irish tax on almost half of all cigarettes in Cork

Newly published research shows that 49% of cigarette packs in Cork have avoided Irish tax or were non-Irish duty paid, which are tobacco products, legal and illegal, that do not have Irish tax paid on them.

Of this total, almost one fifth (18%) were illegal counterfeit cigarettes, manufactured without authorisation from the owners, with the intent to deceive consumers and avoid tax.

Nationwide, the survey revealed counterfeit cigarettes made up 14% of packs surveyed on behalf of Japan Tobacco International (JTI) Ireland, which is Ireland’s leading tobacco manufacturer, with brands such as Benson & Hedges and Silk Cut on its books.

Galway, at 75%, had Ireland’s highest rate of packs with no Irish tax paid on them. This was followed by Swords in Co Dublin, at 66%.

In terms of counterfeit cigarettes, Wexford was worst affected, with 25% of packs surveyed being illegal counterfeit products, followed by Ennis (20%) and Waterford (19%). The survey included both illegal counterfeit cigarettes and products legally purchased abroad that do not have Irish tax paid on them.

Daan van Hamersveld, director of corporate affairs and communications at JTI Ireland, said the findings show a significant issue with illegal counterfeit cigarettes in Cork.

“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.

“We would urge the Government to pair a more moderate approach to excise increases with stronger enforcement action against the criminal networks behind cigarette smuggling and counterfeiting, to avoid further exacerbating this already serious situation,” he said.