Cigarette Taxes

A PROPOSAL FOR A STUDY INTO THE EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY OF CURRENT LEVELS OF SMOKING AND THE IMPACT OF AN INCREASING IN CIGARETTE PRICES

Table of Contents:

1.Introduction…………………………………………………………………….3

2. Background to the study, objectives of the project and issues arising

2.1 Background to the study…………….……………………………………….3
2.2 Objectives of the project……………………………………………………..4
2.3 Issuesarising……………………………….………………………………..5

3. Potential alternatives to the increasing in cigarette prices………………..…5

4. Assignment tasks………………………………………………….......………..6

1. Introduction

This proposal is directed to theMinister of Health in Ireland.

Facing the Cancer Awareness Group claim to increase cigarette prices in the budget of €2, the Government should mainly take into account the following aspects.

*The effects of this measure on the economy.
* The effectiveness of this measure for people to quit smoking.
* To advise on whether there are other more efficient measures to achieve CancerAwareness Group aim rather than the increasing in cigarettes prices.

2. Background to the study, objectives of the project and issues arising

3.1 Background to the study

Increasing theprices of cigarettes to unrealistic levels could not be sustainable. Although it would provide revenues to the State, it would carry other negative consequences as promote the oligopoly and thecriminal gangs. Furthermore, the effect in people smoking would not be as large as the Cancer Awareness Group expects.

However, reducing the number of people smoking is a task that the Minister of Healthshould carry out. Smoking is the single biggest cause of illness, disability and death in Ireland. By encouraging smokers to quit and reducing the numbers of smokers in Ireland, we can reduce thelevel of illness and deaths caused by tobacco use and reduce the cost of treating those illnesses, which will benefit everyone in our...