SALES OF CIGARETTES have dropped dramatically in Ireland during the recession, falling by over 10 per cent in 2010 alone.

Sales of rolling tobacco, which is cheaper than cigarettes, have soared during the same period. Consumption of illegal cigarettes is also believed to have increased as the increased excise on legal cigarettes in recent Budgets has pushed low-earning smokers towards the black market.

Figures from the Revenue show that just over 4.1 billion cigarettes were sold legally in Ireland last year, a drop of over 10 per cent from the previous year.   

Sales of cigarettes have dropped by almost a quarter in the last five years alone.  The high cost, coupled with more effective anti-smoking education campaigns, have led to a decrease in the number of people smoking.

Sales of lower-cost rolling tobacco jumped by almost 60 per cent between 2008 and 2009, increasing from 128 tonnes to almost 220 tonnes.

Despite the decrease in sales, the revenue earned for the Exchequer from cigarettes remains on a par with five years ago at €1.1 billion due to duty increases on cigarettes.