It has come to light that even after taking severe steps to fight the illicit trade of tobacco; its manufacturers are still providing products to the users, illegally. Recent figures have revealed that last year about 4.3 billion cigarettes were traded by the tobacco companies illegally.

Considering the fresh laws imposed by the authorities, the tobacco industries have gradually decreased its sales in the open market. However, to achieve the set goal, the firms increased the illegal trade. According to the figures, there has been 4.7% decline in the legal sales of tobacco in 2009.

The tobacco firms, which have been blamed of promoting illegal trade in Ireland, can face serious liabilities. PJ Carroll & Co Ltd is of the giant tobacco firms which have been found guilty of promoting illicit trade of tobacco.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has expressed the need of increasing tax over tobacco by 50% so that people don't purchase it. It has been revealed that the tobacco firms with the pursuit of feeling their pockets have been increasing the prices of tobacco product significantly. Reports reveals that in 2000 a packet of cigarette was sold for _4.77which within two years saw a jump of 10c.

Commenting on the horrendous move by tobacco firms on increasing the prices, the HSE noted that at the time of global financial crunch, the tobacco firms are being greedy. Dr. Patrick Doorley, the Health Director said, "Their strategy of constantly increasing prices, irrespective of their rhetoric on smuggling, needs to be examined in light of the forthcoming Budget".

An anti-smoking group has also criticized the move of the tobacco firms of increasing the prices. It has been revealed that every year about 6,000 people in Ireland dies because of tobacco. The medical experts have informed that tobacco is one of the leading causes of mouth cancer.