DUBLIN – The Irish Heart Foundation and the Irish Cancer Society want more taxes from tobacco firms through governmental regulation of tobacco prices, The Independent reports. If the government set tobacco prices, an additional 65 million euros.

“There is no legitimate argument for the status quo because even apart from the health catastrophe of 5,200 people killed by tobacco-related illness a year in Ireland, the tobacco industry is a drain on the nation's economy,” said Chris Macey with the Irish Heart Foundation. “It creates virtually no employment and on Department of Health estimates the taxpayer is subsidizing tobacco companies to the tune of almost six euro for every euro of profit they take out of the country.”

The health groups are asking for the government to cap the maximum price of cigarette packs, which is less than the current price sans duties and taxes. Then the government would increase the tax on tobacco to bring the price up to its current rate. Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom are looking into similar price structuring for tobacco products.

“Tobacco multinationals can continue to charge premium prices and make excessive profits because their products are very cheap to make, are highly addictive and competition in such a highly regulated market is so limited,” said Dr. Robert Branston, a business economist in the U.K who is promoting the plan. “This extreme profitability creates the incentive and ability for tobacco companies to fight tobacco control measures to the detriment of public health.”

The charities are also asking for yearly tax hikes on tobacco of 5% above inflation, which would trigger a 60 cents bump per pack of cigarettes this year. “By combining higher taxes, tough anti-smuggling measures and improved smoking cessation services, we can achieve the win-win of a major reduction in smoking rates and huge extra revenue for the Exchequer,” said Kathleen O'Meara with the Irish Cancer Society.