The CEO of the Convenience Stores and Newspapers Association has called for a clampdown on illegal tobacco smuggling.
Addressing the Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Vincent Jennings said the illegal import of cigarettes accounted for just under 20% of the trade in tobacco in Ireland.
He said this was having a significant impact on the retail sector.
The tobacco trade accounted for 15% to 30% of total sales in newsagents and small retailers, he said.
