ASH Welcomes EU Court of Justice decision ruling on cigarettes

Date: 23 November 2006

Statement from ASH Ireland.

ASH WELCOMES EU RULING ON CIGARETTES

ASH Ireland welcomes an EU Court of Justice decision today which ensures that individuals must continue to pay domestic custom duties when buying tobacco products from another EU country and having it delivered to their home.

The court essentially upheld a 1992 ruling – which ensures that goods purchased must be for personal use and transported by the customer from outside the jurisdiction. ASH is particularly pleased that this ruling blocks the possibility of purchasing cigarettes on-line and having them delivered – so as to avoid taxes. Importantly this ruling also will deny children and young people the possibility of purchasing cigarettes on-line.

ASH Ireland again urges the Minister for Finance to place a significant increase on the price of tobacco products in next months budget. ASH has proposed a €2 increase as this level of price hike will encourage smokers to quit and discourage young people from commencing the addictive habit.

ENDS.

ASH Ireland is fully funded by the Irish Cancer Society and Irish Heart Foundation.

Further information:
Professor Luke Clancy, Chairman ASH Ireland, 086 8364337
Dr Fenton Howell, ASH Ireland, 087 2668465
Wally Young, Young Communications, 01 668 0530, 087 247 1520