50% of cigarettes sold in Co Monaghan are bought illegally.
That’s according to Clones retailer, Eamon McCaughey.
He was speaking about the increased demand for counterfeit cigarettes throughout the country on this morning's Joe Finnegan Show.
Mr McCaughey said the practice was damaging the retail sector.
And while he was keen to point out how he wasn’t endorsing the unhealthy habit in any way, the fact remained that cigarettes were a legitimate product that retailers sold.
Mr McCaughey says that the €15 price tag on a box of cigarettes in the Republic of Ireland is what is driving black market sales.
"The problem is the price," he continued.
"The fact is a pack of 20 Benson & Hedges - the number one cigarette brand in this are - are €15.30.
"That is a phenomenal price when people can actually buy them for €5.
"The retailer makes about 7% on that €15.30 and the Government makes 85%."
