According to a recent survey conducted throughout the EU, which has revealed that Alcohol and tobacco prices are more expensive in Ireland than anywhere else within the EU.
The consumer survey was published earlier today for all countries within the EU. The report showed that Ireland’s alcoholic beverages and tobacco product prices are a whopping 70% higher than the EU average. The news has come as no surprise to the National Off-Licence Association who have reissued their call to the Government to reverse the hike on alcohol in which placed in the Budget 2014.
The Director of the National Off-Licence Association (NOffLA), Evelyn Jones said: “Eurostat’s results highlight the disproportionate and unfair campaign the Irish Government alone is waging against the alcohol sector via excise duty, which places a severe drain on cash flow and jeopardises product quality.”Eurostat correctly attributes the “large price variation” in price as “mainly due to differences in taxation”.
It is believed that excise on wine is a massive 624% higher than the EU average. Whilst Beer and spirits excises are considerablely high of 298% and 243% above average, respectively. Meanwhile a packet of 20 cigarettes which normally costs €10 here is almost double the EU average with other countries selling a pack of 20 for as little as €6.