Imperial Tobacco Group are reporting a 4% increase
of sales in Ireland. The Imperial group which markets brands such as John Player reported
a 4% increase in sales in the Republic Of Ireland during the six month period to March
2006 over the previous corresponding six month period. This runs in line with figures
released by 'Retail News' grocery magazine which showed an almost 2% increase of cigarette
sales in Ireland during 2005. This would put the retail market for cigarettes in Ireland
at around €1.8 billion.
Another cigarette manufacturer, Gallagher has reported a
25% increase in sales from retail and convenience stores. This has helped offset the drop
in sales from vending machines in bars which occurred after the imposition of the smoking
ban. However, this sector has also seen a recent upsurge in business as according to one
tobacco industry spokesperson, "bars....increase their efforts to accommodate
smokers."
The dismal failure of the smoking ban to dent the smoking
habits of Irish people is blamed by ASH spokesperson Luke Clancy on the government. He now
feels the government needs to punish smokers for not giving up cigarettes by imposing huge
price increases and new laws to end what he has described as "the proliferation of
smoking rooms attached to or part of pubs" He advocates putting €2 on the price
of twenty cigarettes and abolishing ten packs.
It is ironic to say the least that Ireland for all the back
slapping and praise from certain quarters on the smoking ban, has managed to reverse the
downward trend prior to the ban, of smoking prevalence amongst it's population. It should
also be borne in mind that the official cigarette sales figures do not include the huge
and increasing volumes of cigarettes purchased abroad or smuggled into Ireland. Last week
Ireland was rated by a scientific journal as the best out of 30 European countries for
discouraging tobacco use. This begs one simple question, WHY ?
