The ban on smoking in public places and work places has caused, in 2005, a fall in cigarette sales of around 3.5 million kilogrammes, which has deprived the treasury of Euro 400 million.

This emerges from the 'Newsletter Tobacco Observatory', published by research for economics and finance. The research also shows that public finances have not been too badly effected in that tax income is up 3.5 per cent. The study shows that, in the last three years, sales of cigarettes have fallen by 10 million kilogrammes (corresponding to 500 million packs of 20). In 2005 alone, lower sales came to 6 million kilogrammes, of which 3.5 million were ascribable directly to the bans. (pi)