MINISTER FOR FINANCE Paschal Donohoe has said that the price of a packet of cigarettes is set to increase from midnight tonight.

Alongside details of increases to the health budget and a sugar tax on fizzy drinks, Donohoe said that the price of a 20-pack of cigarettes will increase by 50c.

This will put the price of a regular brand packet of 20 to €12.

This measure has met with mixed response.

Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) Ireland welcomed the move.

Its chairman Patrick Dooley said: “If the government is to achieve its objective of establishing a smoke free Ireland by 2025 then it must consistently increase the price of tobacco.

Significant inroads have been made in regard to smoking prevalence over the past 13 years with current levels down to less than 20%, down from 29% in 2003.

Smokers’ group Forest Ireland were not happy however.

Its spokesperson John Mallon said: “Ireland is already the most expensive place in Europe to buy tobacco.

Raising the price of cigarettes for the sixth consecutive budget is unfair because it disproportionately hurts those on lower incomes.