ASH Ireland is "bitterly disappointed" at the 5p increase on a packet of 20 cigarettes. The anti-smoking group said it had recommended a substantial increase to the Minister for Finance, but his was "by far the lowest increase in recent years". The Irish Cancer Society expressed similar sentiments, describing the rise as "negligible". A statement added: "A substantial price increase would have . . .
served to really discourage [teenagers] from taking up cigarettes."