ALMOST two-thirds (63%) of cigarette packs surveyed in Ennis in 2026 were found to have no Irish duty paid, according to new research commissioned by JTI Ireland.
The latest Empty Pack Survey, commissioned by JTI Ireland, found that 63% of packs surveyed in Ennis were non-Irish duty paid (NIDP), referring to tobacco products on which Irish tax has not been paid.
The category includes legal tobacco products purchased abroad as well as illegal products, including counterfeit cigarettes.
Of the packs surveyed in Ennis, 20% were identified as counterfeit cigarettes, the second-highest rate recorded among the 22 locations surveyed. Wexford had the highest rate at 25%, followed by Waterford at 19%.
Nationwide, 57% of packs surveyed were non-Irish duty paid, with counterfeit cigarettes accounting for 14%.
Galway recorded the highest rate of non-Irish duty paid cigarettes at 75%, followed by Swords at 66%.
Government figures cited by JTI indicate that the Irish Exchequer lost approximately €5 billion in tax revenue to non-Irish duty paid products since 2018, including around €1 billion in 2025 alone. JTI also cited Government figures showing €758 million was lost specifically to illegal tobacco products.
Daan van Hamersveld, Director of Corporate Affairs and Communications at Japan Tobacco International (JTI) Ireland, said the findings showed Ennis was among the areas of Ireland most affected by counterfeit cigarettes.
“These findings show that Ennis is one of the areas in Ireland hardest hit by illegal counterfeit cigarettes,” he said.
Mr van Hamersveld said illegal tobacco products were costing the State more than €750 million in lost taxes in 2025, while also undermining legitimate retailers and providing income for organised crime groups.
He said that, when legal non-Irish duty paid products were also included, retailers across the country were losing more than €1 billion in turnover annually as smokers turned to cheaper illegal and other non-Irish duty paid cigarettes.
He also claimed that the smoking rate has remained stable since 2019, suggesting smokers were seeking alternative channels in response to tax increases rather than quitting.
Mr van Hamersveld said JTI was calling on the Government to take a more moderate approach to excise increases while strengthening enforcement against cigarette smuggling and counterfeiting.
“We would urge the Government to pair a more moderate approach to excise increases with stronger enforcement action against the criminal networks behind cigarette smuggling and counterfeiting to avoid further exacerbating this already serious situation,” he said.
