New estimates from Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) reveal the staggering financial cost of smoking in England, totalling £43.7 billion a year—significantly higher than the £6.8 billion raised annually through tobacco excise taxes. The breakdown includes £27.6 billion in lost economic productivity, £1.82 billion in NHS expenses, £13.9 billion in social care costs, and £332 million in fire-related costs. These figures expose the substantial burden smoking places on public health, services, and the economy.

The economic damage stems primarily from smokers being unable to work due to illness or premature death. With this loss impacting national ambitions for economic growth, ASH is urging the government to pass the Tobacco and Vapes Bill and create a roadmap towards a smokefree society during the current parliamentary term.

Smoking disproportionately affects the most deprived communities, with nearly 22% of people in such areas identified as smokers, compared to just 6.2% in wealthier regions. This inequality highlights the urgent need to invest in stop-smoking initiatives and support these at-risk populations.

ASH is also calling on the government to introduce a ‘polluter pays’ levy on tobacco manufacturers to fund efforts to reduce smoking. Unlike tobacco taxes, which are paid by smokers, this levy would hold tobacco companies directly accountable for the harm caused by their products. Experts argue that claims about smoking tax revenues benefiting public finances overlook the far-reaching economic and societal devastation smoking causes.

These findings present an undeniable case for swift and decisive action to accelerate the eradication of smoking’s harmful legacy across England.

Source: ash