Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2026
395. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the annual value of cigarettes confiscated by the State for non-payment of customs or other taxes or duties, for each year from 2016 to 2025 inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9275/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraRevenue is committed to targeting the illicit tobacco trade and implements a range of measures to tackle the sale of illicit tobacco. At the core of these measures is identifying and targeting the smuggling of illicit tobacco products into the State, with a view to disrupting the supply chain, seizing the product and, where possible, prosecuting those involved. Revenue monitors trends in the illicit tobacco trade on an ongoing basis and adjusts its actions and redeploys its resources to counter any new developments or methodologies employed by the criminal gangs involved in that trade. Revenue has also taken steps to tighten controls on the movement of duty-paid tobacco products from other EU countries, with a recent change to more effectively guard against the abuse of the excise duty relief available on tobacco for personal use.
Revenue’s strategy to tackle tobacco non-compliance involves developing and sharing intelligence on a national, EU and international basis, the use of analytics and detection technologies, which includes analysis of online activities, and ensuring the optimum deployment of resources on a risk-focused basis. Enforcement work by Revenue continues to lead to significant seizures, disruption of illicit trade channels and successful prosecutions.
Figures relating to the seizure of tobacco products in recent years are set out below:
Cigarettes
|
Year |
No. of seizures |
Quantity (m) |
Value €m |
|
2025 |
5,493 |
46.9 |
42.5 |
|
2024 |
4,920 |
112.3 |
95.6 |
|
2023 |
5,164 |
69.5 |
55.7 |
|
2022 |
5,431 |
51.6 |
39.5 |
|
2021 |
4,889 |
60.7 |
43.5 |
|
2020 |
3,132 |
48.2 |
32.8 |
|
2019 |
3,263 |
13.4 |
8.6 |
|
2018 |
3,965 |
67.8 |
32.6 |
|
2017 |
4,493 |
34.2 |
19.4 |
|
2016 |
4.965 |
44.5 |
23.4 |
Revenue welcomes and follows up on information from businesses or members of the public in relation to shadow economy activities and the supply of illegal tobacco products. Anyone with suspicions of illegal activity can contact Revenue in confidence on the free phone number 1800 295 295. I am satisfied that Revenue is very alert to the threat that the illicit tobacco trade poses to the effectiveness of tobacco tax which, as outlined, is a key aspect of the Government’s strategy to disincentivise smoking.
