So screams the Irish Independent. Using the tired and overused ‘people will die’ claim, TD Derek Keating is attempting to frighten the Irish government into raising ever more tax to fight a problem they themselves created!
Both the Tobacco Industry and the smoking community warned politicians everywhere that over-taxation on tobacco would send smuggling through the roof, would cost governments millions to fight and have minimal effect on making smokers quit smoking. The governments, who apparently know best, chose to listen to organisations like ASH and, as a direct result, your taxes are going to soar as they seek to follow the orders from ASH High Command to stamp out smoking.
The solution is simple – it always has been! Stop listening to ASH, reduce taxation to the point where it is not profitable to smuggle tobacco and then they will stop of their own accord! The English learned back during the Napoleonic wars that stopping smuggling was a forlorn hope. French goods, and Brandy in particular, came over in vast quantities. Some of the oldest, wealthiest Families in the country made their fortunes from smuggling!
Hey, Dave! Don’t you want to save millions?
This is the solution!