MINISTER FOR FINANCE Paschal Donohoe has said the price of a packet of 20 cigarettes is set to increase by 50 cent. 

Speaking in front of the Dáil this afternoon, Donohoe said that he is increasing excise duty on a pack of 20 cigarettes by 50 cent, with a pro-rate increase on other tobacco products. 

This will bring the price of cigarettes in the most popular price category to €12.70.

Donohoe also announced that he is increasing excise duty on tobacco products so that all cigarettes cost below €11 will have the same excise applied as cigarettes sold at €11. 

A new poll published last night found that most people want the cost of cigarettes to be increased by €5 in Budget 2019 and for the extra money to be ring-fenced to fund cancer treatments.

Seven in 10 people (71%) are in favour of such a move, according to an opinion poll carried out by Amarách Research for Claire Byrne Live.

According to a separate opinion poll, 64% of people would prefer income tax cuts and 34% would favour spending increases.