FINANCE minister Brian Cowen is under pressure to increase the price of cigarettes by €2 in the Budget. Yesterday, three anti-smoking bodies joined together... FINANCE minister Brian Cowen is under pressure to increase the price of cigarettes by €2 in the Budget.

Yesterday, three anti-smoking bodies joined together to call for a packet of cigarettes to be priced at over €9. The Irish Cancer Society, ASH Ireland and the Irish Heart Foundation all called for the increase to encourage smokers to quit the habit.

Labour health spokeswoman Jan O’Sullivan said the party supported increases in tax to encourage people to give up smoking but said there should be more support for people who want to quit. The group of three charities has also called for €10m from the government for therapies to help people stop smoking.