668. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the estimated annual cost of smoking to the State; if his Department will be conducting an updated 2022 report assessing the economic cost of smoking following on from a report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24263/22] 

Stephen Donnelly, Minister for Health: The most recent study conducted on behalf of my Department on the economic cost of smoking in Ireland, "A detailed assessment of the economic cost of smoking in Ireland" was carried out in 2016 by ICF International (UK) in association with DKM Economic Consultants (Ireland) 

The study estimated the total cost of smoking to be €10.6 billion per year which included:

- Estimated healthcare costs of €506 million

- Estimated lost productivity costs of €1,071 million

- Estimated smoking related fires costs of €6 million.

- Estimated smoking related litter costs of €69 million. 

There are currently no plans to conduct an updated report in 2022.