A group representing smokers is hitting out at a proposal for a 50 cent budget hike in the cost of a pack of cigarettes.
The suggestion has come in a joint initiative from the Irish Heart Foundation and the Irish Cancer Society, who also want to see a 25% levy applied to the profits of tobacco firms.
The groups says the money could go towards covering the cost to the health service of treating smoking-related illnesses.
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Chris Macey is head of advocacy with the Irish Heart Foundation.
He told the Pat Kenny Show here on Newstalk that the government could introduce such a levy.
However John Mallon from Forest Eireann says tobacco companies would not be the ones footing the bill.
