RAS Blog

Category: Illicit Goods

  • Taxpayers lose nearly a billion to black market tobacco – Dublin People

    25 July 2025

    Retailers Against Smuggling (RAS) has called for urgent action to be taken to combat black market tobacco as the Tax Strategy Group (TSG) Papers for 2026 admit that the prevalence of illicit and non-Irish duty paid tobacco illustrate that increases to excise duties ‘may not lead to increased revenue’, reinforcing that excise increases are fuelling a booming black market, rather than reducing smoking rates. 

    The papers follow on from Revenue’s recently published Illegal Tobacco Products Research Survey 2024- independently conducted by Ipsos MRBI- which revealed a staggering total loss of roughly €934 million in taxpayer money to illegal tobacco products last year alone. 

    The TSG publication, which sets out options for tax policy changes, acknowledged that annual figures show the excise on tobacco products, which has increased by steadily increased by €3.75 since 2019, is having the opposite of its intended effect– pushing consumers to purchase illicit or non-duty paid tobacco, while the revenue generated by Tobacco Product Tax falls year on year. 

    Despite intentions to increase revenue to the Exchequer through increased Tobacco Product Taxation, figures show that TPT revenue has in fact plummeted from €1.32 billion in 2020, to just €976 million in 2023- a loss of €342 million to the taxpayer. Even more concerning, the TSG Papers note that three quarters of this yield was collected prior to the Budget 2025 excise increase. Meanwhile, Revenue statistics show the value of tobacco seizures doubled between 2023 and 2024, to €130 million. 

    The TSG papers also call-out and discuss RAS’ pre-budget submission, which highlights this trend of tax loss in comparison to excise increase, and submits that a freeze on excise and improved detection and enforcement of illicit trade is the best option to increase TPT revenue and to put money back into taxpayer pockets. 

    Reference is made to the stark Revenue Commissioner survey published this April, which revealed a whopping 37% spike in illicit market cigarettes. These accounted for 26% of all cigarettes in circulation in 2024 compared to 19% in 2023, and were worth over €590 million in lost taxes. RAS estimates that a further €249 million was lost on the survey’s reported 11% travel purchases of cigarettes in 2024. No Irish excise or VAT has been paid on any of these cigarettes and Retailers Against Smuggling is concerned that many of these ‘legal’ cigarettes are being brought in breach of duty free and travel allowances. RAS estimates that a further €95 million was lost in taxes on RYO Tobacco in 2024, bringing the total taxpayer losses on tobacco products to an astounding €934 million in one year alone.1 

    RAS National Spokesperson Benny Gilsenan stated: 

    “As admitted by the Government in the latest Tax Strategy Group Papers, it is clear that increasing excise on tobacco products is not only having no effect on smoking rates– with €934 million in lost taxes on tobacco products, the scale of Ireland’s untaxed tobacco market is staggering – and it’s taking business away from legitimate Irish retailers. 

    “Continuous increases in excise are driving people to purchase the cigarettes from the black market or abroad, and we are seeing less money from the Tobacco Products Tax every year it is increased. It has become clear it is no longer a financially viable approach, and it is time for the Government to focus on tackling illicit trade, rather than taking measures which affect legitimate retailers and the taxpayer.” 

    In its pre-budget submission, Retailers Against Smuggling are calling on the Government to: 

    • Freeze excise on cigarettes, which is already the highest in Europe, and is clearly fuelling tobacco smuggling; 
    • Increase staffing and scanner resources to detect illegal tobacco being smuggled into Ireland, including through our airports through breaches of duty-free allowances; 
    • Increase the fines and prison sentences for court convictions for illegal smuggling. 

  • Ireland’s untaxed cigarette market now worth €790 million, retailers say – Breaking News

    01 May 2025

    Retailers Against Smuggling (RAS) has said that the Revenue Commissioner’s Illegal Tobacco Products Research Survey 2024 proves that the Government is losing the battle against Ireland’s booming market in illicit tobacco, stating that the untaxed cigarette market is now worth €790 million.

    Wednesday’s Revenue Commissioner survey found that 37 per cent of cigarette packs in circulation had no Irish excise duty paid as they were either illegal or purchased outside Ireland.

    Advertisement

    This marks an increase from 34 per cent in 2023. In the case of the roll-your-own tobacco market, the proportion of products in circulation with no Irish duty paid was a massive 49 per cent.

    The regulated cigarette market in Ireland – for which excise duty was paid – had a total retail value €1.34 billion in 2024, meaning that untaxed cigarette market – making up the 37 per cent of the cigarettes in circulation according to this week’s survey – had a retail value of €790 million in 2024, RAS said.

    €550 million of this was accounted for by illegal cigarettes. The Revenue Commissioners successfully seized €96 million in illegal cigarettes in 2024, meaning they seized less than one in five of all illegal cigarettes in circulation in Ireland last year.

    RAS spokesperson, Benny Gilsenan, said: “With a retail value of €790 million, the scale of Ireland’s untaxed tobacco market is staggering – and it’s taking business away from legitimate Irish retailers.

    Advertisement

    “It is clear that the Government has lost control of Ireland’s tobacco black market; and their current rate of seizure is only the tip of the iceberg. Ireland needs a new strategy to tackle illegal cigarette smuggling.”

    “One of the main reasons Ireland’s untaxed cigarette market has grown so large is because continuous increases in excise are driving people to purchase the cigarettes from the black market or abroad, a trend being allowed by a serious lack of enforcement of duty free and travel allowances.”

    Retailers Against Smuggling siad they are calling on the Government to:

    • Freeze excise on cigarettes, which is already the highest in Europe, and is clearly fuelling tobacco smuggling;
    • Increase staffing and scanner resources to detect illegal tobacco being smuggled into Ireland, including through our airports through breaches of duty-free allowances;
    • Increase the fines and prison sentences for court convictions for illegal smuggling.

  • Louth cigarette factory bust is “tip of the iceberg”|Louth Live

    05 March 2025

    Retailers Against Smuggling (RAS) were commenting on a cigarette factory bust in Louth

    Retailers Against Smuggling (RAS) have congratulated the Revenue Commission and Gardaí for their successes in discovering and shutting down a highly-sophisticated illegal cigarette factory in Co Louth, where cigarettes worth almost €600,000 were seized. 

    The retail group has warned that this seizure is the “tip of the iceberg” and has claimed that tobacco smuggling in Ireland is “out of control.”

    Headline figures recently released by the Revenue Commissioners show that Irish authorities seized €128 million worth of illegal tobacco in 2024, compared to €63 million in 2023. In total, 112 million cigarettes were seized by Irish authorities in 2024, with the amount nearly doubling in one year.

    The Revenue Commissioners published a survey in 2024 which found that some 34% of cigarettes in circulation in Ireland were non-duty paid. 

    RAS national spokesman Benny Gilsenan, who is also a retailer on Dublin’s northside, said: “Today’s factory closure and the massive scale of seizures last year represent only the tip of the iceberg. Tobacco smuggling is out of control in Ireland.”

    He continued: “The new Government must massively increase their efforts to tackle tobacco smuggling, starting with increased scanning and detection at our ports; and adopting a zero-tolerance approach to illegal cigarettes being sold in our communities. 

    “Tobacco smuggling is costing millions in lost revenue to both legitimate retailers and the Irish exchequers. Today’s factory closure is welcome, but more is needed to get on top of the problem.” 

  • Retailer lobby group warns of surge in cigarette and medicine smuggling | The Irish Times

    Retailer lobby group warns of surge in cigarette and medicine smuggling | The Irish Times

    Retailers Against Smuggling calls on incoming government to tackle rising illicit trade

    27 December 2024

    A survey published earlier this year by the Revenue Commissioners found 34 per cent of cigarettes in circulation in Ireland were non-duty paid.


    The number of Irish smokers buying cigarettes from overseas and avoiding taxes as a result climbed significantly over the course of the year, according to a survey conducted by a retail lobby group.

    Some 58 per cent of Irish cigarette smokers bought from abroad in 2024 up 13 per cent since March, according to an Ireland Thinks poll conducted on behalf of Retailers Against Smuggling (RAS).

    The survey also found that 11 per cent of consumers bought medicines or supplements from unofficial or irregular sellers over the past 12 months, up from 7 per cent in March.

    The group called on the incoming government to tackle the rising illicit trade in medicines and cigarettes which it says is “posing serious business risks to small Irish retailers, from convenience stores and forecourts to local pharmacies”.

    It said the poll reinforced “anecdotal feedback from retailers around Ireland who have observed how the circulation of illegal tobacco has surged” this year.

    A separate survey published earlier this year by the Revenue Commissioners found 34 per cent of cigarettes in circulation in Ireland were non-duty paid.

    RAS spokesman Benny Gilsenan said Ireland’s street are “flooded” with tobacco products on which duty was not paid.

    He said the problem “shows no sign of abating” and the incoming government must “commit to taking action against smuggling and the illicit trade” of such products.

    Due to rising tobacco prices, Mr Gilsenan said “it’s no surprise that consumers are turning to the importation of cheaper products from abroad”.

    In addition to the loss to the exchequer, he said the trend of people buying cigarettes in breach of duty-free allowances or medicines from unlicensed sources “poses serious risks to legitimate Irish retailers as well as to consumers who are potentially putting their health at risk”.

  • From dodgy boxes to illegal cigarettes: One in four Irish people say they buy black market products – Irish Independent

    May 03 2024

    Around a quarter of Irish people have bought black market products in the past year, according to a poll.

    The findings highlight the widespread use of illegal black market products in this country. The unregulated and untaxed items being bought include dodgy box subscriptions, coal, drugs, medicines, alcohol, vaping products and cigarettes and rolling tobacco, ­according to the survey commissioned by representative body Retailers Against Smuggling.

    The findings chime with a recent survey commissioned by the Revenue Commissioners which found that 19pc of cigarette packs held by the smokers surveyed were classified as illegal.

    They were mostly what Revenue calls contraband – normal, commercial brands of cigarettes bought duty-paid or duty-free outside the country and smuggled in.

    Retailers Against Smuggling commissioned a poll by Ireland Thinks of more than 1,500 people. It asked Irish consumers how often they bought products from illicit or unofficial sources.

    A quarter of respondents said they had knowingly bought goods or services from an illicit source in the past 12 months. A total of 37pc of all those who bought cigarettes, tobacco or ­vapes in the past 12 months would be open to buying from unofficial or irregular sources if the price was substantially lower than the legal market price.

    Meanwhile, 19pc of all those who bought cigarettes, tobacco or vapes in the past 12 months had knowingly bought them from an unofficial or ­irregular seller in that period.

    In the first three months of this year, Revenue made 16 major seizures of tobacco across Ireland. The total value of seizures last year was €58m.

    When it comes to so-called dodgy boxes, a separate recent Sunday Independent/­Ireland Thinks poll found more than one in five people in Ireland now use them to watch TV shows.

    The number of illegal streaming devices in households has doubled to almost 400,000 in the last five years, the figures suggest.

    Up to 22pc of Irish households now use one of the connected boxes, which are sometimes activated through legitimate gadgets such as an Amazon Fire Stick.

    The group called on the Government to begin tracking the seizures of illegal ­vapes to get a handle on the extent of this illicit market.

    The 75c hike in excise in last October’s Budget pushed the average price of a pack of 20 cigarettes to €16.75, with rolling tobacco costing on average €23.30.

    Prices on the black market are reportedly around €5 to €6, the retailer body said.

    Coal bought from Northern Ireland has become a big issue. Solid Fuel Merchants Ireland said recently that “illegal coal” is being smuggled over the Border and sold online and door-to-door.

    Solid fuel is generally cheaper in Northern Ireland because there is no carbon tax, a lower rate of Vat and the same quality standards do not apply, so there is no restriction on the sale or use of smoky coal.

    The carbon tax on coal sold in this State went up this month by 75c per bag. A bag of coal currently costs around €5.85 in carbon tax.

    Retailers Against Smuggling spokesperson Benny Gilsenan said his organisation’s survey showed there was a shadow economy operating under our noses that was being allowed to continue with impunity.

  • Retailers Against Smuggling Reveal 25% of Irish People Bought Products Off the Black Market – Checkout.ie

    May 02 2024

    A quarter of Irish people have purchased items on the black market in the last year according to a new poll by Retailers Against Smuggling (RAS).

    The findings by the representative body highlight the widespread use of illegal black market products in Ireland.

    Some of the products purchased include TV subscription services, coal and other fuels, medicines, supplements, alcohol, vaping products, cigarettes and tobacco.

    Cigarettes And Tobacco Products

    The poll of more than 1500 people carried out by Ireland Thinks asked consumers how often they purchase items from unofficial sources.

    Included in the main findings is that 25% of the population have knowingly purchased goods or services from an illicit source in the past 12 months.

    It also found that 37% of those who purchased cigarettes, tobacco or vapes in the past 12 months would be open to buying them from an unofficial source if the price was substantially lower than the legal market price.

    The report said that 19% of all who had bought cigarettes, tobacco or vapes in the past 12 months have knowingly purchased them form an irregular seller within that time frame.

    In the first three months of 2024, Revenue have made 16 major seizures of tobacco, representing €39 million.

    The total value of seizures in 2023 was €58 million.

    A survey carried out by Ipsos MRBI revealed that the conjectured estimated loss to the Exchequer on 32.9 million illegal cigarette packs, including rolling tobacco packs, is approximately €442 million.

    The government does not currently track seizures of illicit vapes, and RAS has stated it believes this to be a growing problem.

    ‘Drastic Measures’

    Last October’s government budget saw an increase in the price for tobacco products.

    With the average cigarette pack now costing €16.75 and rolling tobacco costing on average €23.30, black market prices of €5-€6 threaten local retailers.

    Speaking about the results of the survey, RAS spokesperson Benny Gilsenan said, “It’s no surprise that these products are being sold all over the country, but their prevalence is shocking.

    “We’ve seen the illegal cigarette trade skyrocket in recent years and the same will happen for alcohol, fuels and medicines if drastic measures aren’t taken immediately.”

  • Retailers group call for ‘smuggling tsunami’ to be tackled after Cork Cigarette Seizure – The Corkman, Irish Independent

    July 31 2024

    A group which represents the interests of over 3,000 small and medium-sized retailers has called on the Government to further tackle Ireland’s “smuggling tsunami” following Revenue’s seizure of 4.67 million cigarettes at the Port of Cork on Tuesday.

    Retailers Against Smuggling (RAS) welcomed the seizure of the illicit cigarettes, said to be worth almost €4 million, and called for enforcement measures against illegal smuggling to be increased to adequately protect the Exchequer and retail revenues.

    RAS said that earlier this month, it launched its pre-budget submission, which called on the Government to rethink its policy towards smuggling and illicit trade in order to tackle Ireland’s “smuggling tsunami”.

    In its submission, the association called on the Government to reduce or freeze consumer taxers including tobacco excise, increase funding for detection and enforcement of smuggling and amend the Finance Act to prosecute all suspected smugglers at Circuit Court level or higher.

    RAS said the scale and magnitude of Ireland’s smuggling problem is clearly illustrated by how the value of illegal cigarette smuggling is on course to double this year.

    “In the recently published Tax Strategy Group, which sits under the Department of Finance, it was recognised that despite increases to Tobacco Products Tax (TPT) in successive budgets, there has been a noticeable decline in receipts while smoking prevalence remains the same,” an RAS statement read.

    “The TSG warns that ‘the notable increase in the volume of products consumed outside the scope of Irish excise duty raises concerns that price increases may be creating incentive for black market activity.’”

    The RAS said a total of 31 major seizures came to the value of €58 million, at a loss of €45 million to the exchequer last year. It said, in the first half of this year alone, there have been 28 major seizures, worth a total value of around €57 million and a loss to the exchequer of €43 million. The value of tobacco products seized is looking as if it is set to double on last year.

    A poll of over 1,000 Irish adults conducted in spring of this year by Irish Thinks, on behalf of Retailers Against Smuggling, 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 RAS said with summer typically being a peak travel season, this means there are more people than usual moving through duty-free shops and other transit points, increasing the likelihood of people purchasing above and beyond the duty-free limits set on alcohol and tobacco.

    Spokesperson for RAS, Seamus Griffin, said smuggling is a “real issue” that is hitting retailers where it hurts most.

    “While we as retailers play by the rules and uphold the law, smugglers are skirting around those same laws and cutting from our profits. It is time for a serious investment in detection and enforcement to ensure those breaking the law face real consequences. Without this, the integrity of our businesses and livelihoods are at risk,” Mr Griffin said.

  • 1 in 4 Irish people have bought products from the black market in the last year 

    1 in 4 Irish people have bought products from the black market in the last year 

    A fifth of smokers are buying untaxed and unregulated vapes, cigarettes and tobacco from illicit sources 

    Dublin, Ireland – April 8

    A quarter of Irish people have purchased black market products in the past twelve months, according to a new consumer poll, commissioned by representative body, Retailers Against Smuggling. The findings highlight the widespread use of illegal black market products in Ireland – with 1 in 4 consumers buying unregulated and untaxed items including TV subscription services (dodgy boxes); coal and other fuels; drugs, medicines and supplements; alcohol; vaping products; and cigarettes and rolling tobacco. 

    The poll of more than 1500 people, carried out by Ireland Thinks, asked Irish consumers how often they purchased products from illicit or unofficial sources. The main findings of the poll include: 

    • 25% of the population have knowingly purchased goods or services from an Illicit source in the past 12 months. 
    • 37% of all those who bought cigarettes, tobacco or vapes in the past 12 months would be open 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, tobacco or vapes in the past 12 months have knowingly purchased them from an unofficial or irregular seller in that period. 

    In the first three months of 2024, Revenue have made 17 major seizures of tobacco across Ireland representing a value of €43.6m and a loss to the Exchequer of €34m. The total value of seizures in 2023 was €58m.  

    Last year, the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) seized 900,000 dosage units of falsified and illegal medicines, which included sedatives, anabolic steroids. 

    Currently, the government doesn’t track seizures of illicit vapes, and RAS believes this issue to be a growing problem with the pervasiveness of non-compliant and illegal vapes on sale that do not meet regulatory specifications. Retailers Against Smuggling call on the government to begin tracking seizures of illegal vapes so we can fully understand the extent of this illicit market.  

    The 75c hike in excise in last October’s Government Budget pushed the average price of a pack of 20 cigarettes to €16.75, with rolling tobacco costing on average €23.30. With prices on the black market reportedly around €5-6, it threatens the business of local retailers, which has already drastically shrunk in recent years. 

    RAS spokesperson, Benny Gilsenan, said: “It’s no surprise that these products are being sold all over the country, but their prevalence is shocking. This shows that there is a shadow economy operating under our noses and is allowed to continue with impunity. We’ve seen the illegal cigarette trade skyrocket in recent years and the same will happen for alcohol, fuels and medicines if drastic measures aren’t taken immediately. Despite the great work of Revenue, they are obviously underequipped to properly combat the illicit market.” 

  • New Poll: 76% of people will not report illegal tobacco sales

    New Poll: 76% of people will not report illegal tobacco sales

    One-third of Irish smokers prepared to purchase illicit tobacco 

    A new poll, commissioned by representative body, Retailers Against Smuggling, has demonstrated the resilience of the illegal tobacco trade in Ireland; with a staggering 76% of people surveyed stating they would not report illegal tobacco sales and 32% percent of smokers prepared to purchase illegal tobacco.  

    The poll*, carried out by Ireland Thinks, between 5th and 6th of May, looked to gauge people’s willingness to purchase illegal tobacco. The poll also sought to understand what the appetite was among the panel surveyed to report those selling illegal tobacco to the relevant authorities. 

    The main findings of the poll include:  

    • 61% of those aged 18-34, said they would purchase illegal tobacco.  
    • The intention to purchase illicit tobacco is significantly higher among males (39%) when compared to females (24%) 
    • 12% of those aged over 65 are prepared to purchase illegal tobacco –the lowest among all of the age cohorts 
    • 76% reported that they wouldn’t report illegal tobacco sellers if they encountered them. Again this figure was highest among 18-34 year olds (88%), and lowest among the over 65 cohort (41%).  

    The Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill, published last week, will introduce a new licensing system which will add a further unnecessary administrative burden and cost on retailers, without addressing a huge underlining issue. Illegal tobacco, some of dubious origin continues to enter Ireland in huge amounts. RAS proposes that 30% of the funds collected from the licence fee are ringfenced for initiatives that will meaningfully deal with the growth of smuggling activities in the country. 

    Illegal tobacco sales have soared over the past year with the issue now becoming a chronic challenge. With the increase in international travel and increased smuggling, Ireland’s streets are awash with non-Irish duty paid tobacco.  In the space of just one week (25-31 May, 2023) Revenue seized nearly 8 million cigarettes at Dublin Port representing a loss of €5m to the Exchequer; with another major seizure of 10 million cigarettes on June 9, showing the size of the illegal tobacco market in Ireland.  

    The results of the Retailers Against Smuggling poll are in line with recent research from Revenue. The Illegal Tobacco Products Research Surveys 2022 found that 30% of all cigarette packs held by smokers in the country were found to be classified as illegal or Non-Irish Duty Paid, a jump of 43% from the previous year. Revenue’s research estimates that the loss to the Exchequer was a record €384 million in 2022.  

    National Spokesperson for Retailers Against Smuggling, Benny Gilsenan said: “It’s no surprise that the illegal cigarette trade has grown in recent years, following a cost-of-living crisis and lack of enforcement at our borders. Travel limits are poorly enforced, and our border agencies don’t have the resources required to fight smuggling at our ports and airports. With the one of the highest prices for tobacco in Europe you can see why Ireland has become a destination for criminals to sell tobacco. We can see from these figures that Revenue needs all the support it can get, we must add more scanners and personnel at entry points across the country.” 

    *The sample size of the poll was 1,147, with a margin of error at +/- 2.9%. 

  • Nearly one third of Irish smokers don’t pay Irish duty

    Nearly one third of Irish smokers don’t pay Irish duty

    Rates of illegal cigarettes in 2022 jumped by 43% compared to the previous year, costing the Exchequer a record €384 million in 2022

    Retailers Against Smuggling (RAS) has expressed grave concerns over the shocking increase in tobacco smuggling in Ireland, as highlighted in statistics published today (26 April) by Revenue / IPSOS.

    In 2022, 30% of all cigarette packs held by smokers in the country were found to be classified as illegal or Non-Irish Duty Paid (NIDP), representing a significant increase from 21% in 2021. The estimated loss to the Exchequer on 31.7 million illegal cigarette packs is approximately €384 million (in excise and VAT), and an additional loss of €120 million compared to 2021.

    17% of all cigarette and roll your own packs in Ireland have been found to be illegal. This is a marked increase from 13% in 2021. A further 13% of cigarette packs and 10% of roll your own packs have been found to be legal but Non-Irish Duty Paid; up from 8% and 5% respectively, from 2021.

    Ipsos released today the results of its annual Illegal Tobacco Products Research Surveys 2022. Market research company Ipsos conduct independent surveys of smokers each year for Revenue and the HSE’s National Tobacco Control Office.

    With Ireland ranked as the most expensive country in Europe to purchase duty paid tobacco products, consumers are taking advantage of the option to purchase cheaper products outside the State while travelling and bringing it back. Importantly, the re-introduction of Duty Free on air and sea routes between Ireland and the UK after Brexit has resulted in a rapid decline of legitimates cigarette sales in the Irish market.

    Commenting, national spokesperson for RAS and Dublin based retailer, Benny Gilsenan said: “It’s no surprise that the illegal cigarette trade has grown following the introduction of the new Duty-Free area with the UK. Travel limits are poorly enforced at borders and this is clearly reflected in the significant jump in 2022. Add to that the fact that Ireland is a destination market for criminals to sell tobacco and you can begin to understand the shockingly high level that Revenue is reporting for 2022. It’s the legitimate retailers and the Exchequer that are losing out.”

    Notes to editors:

    • National spokesperson for RAS, Benny Gilsenan is available for media interview upon request.
    • The Revenue 2022 Tobacco Products Research Survey can be accessed here.
    • The Revenue 2022 Annual Report can be accessed here.

    About Retailers Against Smuggling

    Retailers Against Smuggling (RAS) represents over 3,000 small and medium-sized retailers across the country. RAS aims to generate widespread awareness amongst the public, media and decision-makers of the impact that smuggled alcohol, tobacco products and solid fuel has on both the livelihoods of local legitimate retailers and consumers in Ireland.

    For more information about RAS, visit www.retailersagainstsmuggling.ie.