Tobacco products and public policy

A chara, – I fear John Mallon is in error (June 8th), or at least gives the erroneous impression that he equates a fall in tobacco smoking with a rise in smuggling. A rise in tobacco prices may possibly lead to a rise in smuggling (and thence a fall in cigarette-related revenue). Or it may not – I am unaware that this has been objectively demonstrated, and even if this were the case, it does not follow that tax cuts are the only way to tackle smuggling.

http://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/tobacco-products-and-public-policy-1.2243184