An Assessment of the Economic Cost of Smoking in Ireland

The purpose of this study is to contribute to the evidence base of tobacco consumption and its effects in Ireland, to help support the implementation of the recommendations made in the Tobacco Free Ireland report (2013).

The research makes a meaningful contribution to the evidence base on the economic cost of smoking in Ireland.

It is a particularly useful piece of research as:

• this type of study has not previously been carried out in an Irish setting
• the majority of the studies worldwide do not cover the range of smoking related costs set out in the terms of reference. This means that they are likely to underestimate the costs associated with smoking
• a causal relationship to smoking has been established for more diseases than are covered in previous research

The study was carried out for the Department of Health by ICF International. Research support was provided by DKM Economic Consultants (DKM). Professor Anne Ludbrook (University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom (UK) provided expert advice on the methodology.