The Retailers Against Smuggling (RAS) organisation has today claimed that not enough is being done to tackle the problem of tobacco smuggling. The organisation represents over 3,000 independent retailers in Ireland.

The group has referred to the Revenue Commissioner’s annual report which shows that Ireland was home to the biggest seizure of illegal cigarettes in 2014 -  a haul of 32 million illegal cigarettes in Drogheda Port in June last year.
 
RAS spokesman, Benny Gilsenan has raised concerns about the ongoing problem of tobacco smuggling and its impact on independent stores.
 
Gilsenan said, “Many of our members who own forecourts will welcome the measures to tackle fuel fraud, but the cigarette smuggling problem hasn’t gone away. The very fact that Ireland was home to the biggest seizure in Europe last year shows the scale of this report.” 
 
RAS are calling for are the introduction of more scanners at ports around the country, the introduction of a minimum fine of €10,000 on conviction for smuggling and illegal selling and the banning of cigarette sales at fairs and markets.
 
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