More Irish Consumers Will Look To Illegal Tobacco Market, Says Research

The proposed EU Tobacco Products Directive will push more Irish consumers to the illegal tobacco market, according to new research conducted by Behaviour and Attitudes.Commissioned by the Irish Tobacco Manufacturers Advisory Committee (ITMAC), the survey of 2,044 people found that 88% of respondents believed that banning menthol would not result in any decrease in consumption, with 84% saying they would purchase from alternative sources. The proposed legislation will look to ban menthol and slim cigarettes and introduce a minimum pack size of 40g for roll-your-own tobacco. The changes have been widely opposed by retailers and retail bodies.On the subject of roll-your-own tobacco, 69% of respondents felt that increasing the pack size to 40g would have no effect on consumption rates, with 86% saying they would purchase roll-your-own tobacco from alternative sources if this proposed legislation became law.“Introduction of a minimum size of 40g would mean the cheapest price point for consumers will be €15. Consumers can already source non-Irish duty paid roll-your-own products in markets across Ireland for one third of the price,” an ITMAC spokesperson said.The respondents were also asked their opinion on “slim” cigarettes and whether banning them would see any decrease in consumption. 87% of people believed it would have no effect, while 79% of people surveyed believed consumers would purchase from other sources if they were to become illegal.