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; and
• A causal relationship to smoking has been established for more diseases than are covered in previous research.

It is estimated that, in 2013, 5,950 premature deaths can be attributed to smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke, along with over 200,000 hospital episodes1. The total cost to the health service is estimated to be over €460 million. The total estimated cost of lost productivity is over €1 billion. This comprises productivity lost through smoking breaks, smokers taking additional absence from work and the premature death of employed workers. The largest proportion of the lost productivity from smoking is estimated to be from the premature death of employed individuals. The cost of fires caused by smoking materials, domiciliary care and smoking related litter has also been estimated. These costs are smaller in value than the cost of healthcare and lost productivity. An attempt has been made to estimate the loss of welfare to individuals from contracting health conditions and premature deaths attributable to smoking and to exposure to second-hand smoke. The value of loss of welfare is estimated to be over €9 billion.