Shocking Results of Poll carried out by Retailers Against Smuggling (RAS)

Retailers Against Smuggling (RAS) carried out a poll of over 1,000 Irish adults. The poll was conducted in March 2024 by Irish Thinks and found that illicit market activity is becoming more and more normalised among the Irish public, with a quarter (25%) of all respondents having knowingly purchased some goods or services from an unofficial or irregular seller in the past 12 months.

The main findings of the poll are:
• 25% of the population have knowingly purchased at least one of the named goods or servicesfrom an unofficial or irregular seller in the past 12 months.
• 37% of all those who bought cigarettes, rolling tobacco or vapes in the past 12 months would beopen to buying from unofficial or irregular sources if the price was substantially lower than the legal market price.
• 19% of all those who bought cigarettes, rolling tobacco or vapes in the past 12 months have knowingly purchased them from an unofficial or irregular seller in that period.

Latest Revenue survey – 34% of cigarettes smoke in Ireland are not bought in Ireland

Figures published in the latest Revenue Illegal Tobacco Products Survey, found that 19% of cigarettes packs held by smokers surveyed were illegal and a further 15% were either purchased in another country or in Duty Free.

This implies that 34% of cigarettes smoked in Ireland are not bought in an Irish shop and completely avoided Irish excise. This truly shocking figure is the highest figure on record for smokers evading the high taxes on Irish cigarettes since Revenue began tracking on smoking sources in 2009.

The survey revealed that the estimated loss to the Exchequer on the 32.9 million illegal cigarette packs (19%) is approximately €422 million.

Meanwhile, retailers have lost the margin made on the cigarettes as well as any additional purchases the smoker would have made if he or she visited your store.

RAS is asking retailers to raise this issue with your local politicians as the illegal cigarette market is clearly getting out of control.

RAS Political Engagement

RAS has made substantial strides in its advocacy efforts, engaging constructively with key political figures and stakeholders. These engagements strengthen our influence in shaping relevant policies aimed at tackling the black market.

Through a consistent submission of parliamentary questions, RAS has been able to receive the official government response on Revenue resources (mobile scanners, fixed scanners, sniffer dogs) and measures regarding illegal importation and manufacturing of tobacco products.

Politicians who have raised issues for RAS include Deputy John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael), Deputy Jim O’Callaghan (Fianna Fáil), Deputy Noel Grealish (Independent), Senator Emer Currie (Fine Gael), Deputy Pa Daly (Sinn Féin) and Deputy Louise O’Reilly (Sinn Féin).

Responses to parliamentary questions have provided useful insights into Revenue and government capacities to detect and regulate smuggling.
The number of x-ray scanners deployed to detect illicit trade and smuggling at ports and airports in 2023 was 1,971 and so far in 2024 has been 424.
The total number of people successfully prosecuted for tobacco and-or cigarette smuggling between 2022 and now is 66.

In addition, last month, Senator John McGahon raised Retailers Against Smuggling concerns on the Seanad Order of Business, regarding illegal cigarette smuggling for retailers. The Senator spoke of how his meeting with RAS ‘really brought home’ the need to do far more around regulation at Irish ports and how it would ensure a margin of profitability for retailers. He also tabled a request for an Oireachtas debate on the security of ports.

You can contact RAS directly at info@retailersagainstsmuggling.ie