The cost of a packet of cigarettes is to rise up to 50 cents from March 1, market leader Philips Morris says.

That means a packet of branded cigarettes will cost around €5.20. The increase is due in part to a 27 cent increase in taxes and the rest in costs. Other tobacco firms are expected to put their prices up by a similar amount.
Two years ago, cigarette prices also went up 50 cents and Philip Morris saw sales fall 10%, news agency ANP reports.