Cigarette maker Gallaher, whose brands include Benson & Hedges and Silk Cut, says the market in the Republic of Ireland has stabilised after the initial impact of the ban on workplace smoking in March last year.
In its first-half results, the group said the total market in the Republic rose by 1.4%, while it increased its share of the market slightly to 49.3% because of a stronger performance by Benson & Hedges.
Overall the group reported pre-tax profits of £225m, down 4% on the same period last year, on flat sales of £3.9 billion. Gallaher said strong growth in Eastern Europe offset tough conditions in some western European markets.
