COUNTERFEIT cigarettes, that may contain rat poison and 30 times more toxins than legally-bought tobacco are available for sale in Limerick markets and housing estates, according to sources in the retail industry.
The news follows the release of figures from tobacco manufacturers JTI Ireland (Japan Tobacco International), who claim that the consumption of illicit cigarettes in Limerick has increased by over 12 per cent in the space of two years.
Research undertaken by the company found that 15.4 per cent of cigarettes smoked in Limerick in the second quarter of 2011 did not display an Irish duty-paid stamp.
In the second quarter of this year, the figure soared to 27.2 per cent of all cigarettes.
Members of the retail industry have claimed that illicit cigarettes are regularly available for sale in the Milk Market and the Barringtons car boot sale, as well as in housing estates across the city.
The sources also claimed that ‘shopping lists’ featuring various cigarette brands at knock-down prices are allegedly distributed weekly to homes around Limerick by those involved in the illicit cigarette trade, including a contact number for the seller.
Chief Superintendent Dave Sheahan said he could not confirm reports of illicit cigarettes being sold in Limerick markets.
“It hasn’t been brought to our attention, we are involved in national projects relating to this but we haven’t identified any major centres where it’s happening.”
Retailer Michael Ryan of Ryan’s Londis in Annacotty said the issue is having a major effect on smaller shops and convenience stores.
“I have seen guys going around smoking areas in pubs with shopping bags full of cigarettes selling them to people. I’ve also been told of the same situation happening in the markets around Limerick.
“There were others putting up stickers with phone numbers in shops and then going around selling the cigarettes out of the boot of a car. I noticed a drop of about 30 to 40 per cent in the sale of cigarettes as a result of this guy operating in the area.”
Regarding government proposals to introduce plain packaging for cigarettes, Mr Ryan said it could be “a final nail in the coffin” for some smaller shops as it would become easier for illegal cigarette traders to produce counterfeit packets.
JTI Ireland say that retailers across the country face losses of €450 million each year due to the illicit tobacco trade.
“It’s creating a €250 million hole in the exchequer each year. You also don’t know what you’re getting with counterfeit cigarettes, you can find rat poison in them and they can contain up to 30 times more toxins than regular cigarettes.”
