Retailers Against Smuggling (RAS) has warned that when the Dublin Airport passenger cap is removed later this year, tobacco-smuggling will increase, unchecked.

The group expressed disappointment at the latest headline figures from the Revenue Commissioners, which show a sharp decline in both the volume and value of cigarette and tobacco seizures in 2025, compared to 2024.

Revenue’s Illegal Tobacco Product Research Surveys 2024 found that over one third (37%) of cigarette packs in circulation carried no Irish excise duty, either because they were illegally purchased or purchased outside the state.

This marks an increase from the 34% recorded in 2023, with figures including roll-your-own tobacco, for total estimated tax losses from tobacco products reaching €934 million in 2024.

The report also includes findings that cigarette seizure volumes plummeted by 58% – dropping from 112 million cigarettes to only 47 million – and the value of cigarette seizures fell by 55% – from approximately €96 million in 2024 to €43 million in 2025.

In total, Revenue reported that it seized €63 million worth of illegal tobacco products in 2025 – a 51% year-on-year decrease compared to 2024, when it seized a record €128 million worth of tobacco.

The 2024 seizure value mirrors levels seen in 2023, when they totalled €63 million, indicating a return to pre-2024 enforcement outcomes.

It added that seizures are barely scratching the surface of smuggled tobacco products entering Ireland, with comparisons based on Revenue’s Headline Results publications for 2023, 2024 and 2025.

‘The Problem Is Worsening’

RAS spokesperson Barry Gilsenan said, “The value of seizures is nowhere near reflective of reality.

“Smuggled tobacco continues to flood Ireland’s black market, and the problem is worsening.

“The new duty-free regulations alone are not enough.

“Revenue enforcement officers need to conduct more checks at ports and airports.

“Most critically, Revenue needs to hire more enforcement officers to match the growth in passenger arrivals in Ireland’s airports and ports, which are up 25% and 1.2%, respectively, from 2022 and 2024.

“We can reasonably expect passenger figures to increase in 2025 and 2026, and duty-free purchases to skyrocket, as the passenger cap at Dublin Airport is set to be removed this year.

“Without stronger enforcement, illicit tobacco sales will continue to soar.”

RAS has called for increased resources to combat the growing illicit tobacco market, while warning that a focus on large-scale seizures must be matched by more routine passenger searches at ports and airports.

Inadequate checks and enforcement mean passengers can arrive with substantial quantities of non-duty paid cigarettes, which are subsequently sold illegally.

The group notes that this undermines legitimate retailers and deprives the Exchequer of vital tax revenue.