Smoking costs society £17 billion – £5 billion more than previously estimated
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New economic analysis of national data for ASH finds the cost of smoking to society is significantly higher than previous estimates have shown. Commissioned by charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) the new figures1 published today [Thursday 13th January] show the cost of smoking to society totals £17.04 billion for England each year. This compares to £12.5 billion under the previous estimate2.
The higher estimate is a result of a new assessment of the impact of smoking on productivity3. Smokers are more likely than non-smokers to become ill while of working age increasing the likelihood of being out of work and reducing the average wages of smokers. Smokers are also more likely to die while they are still of working age creating a further loss to the economy. Together this adds up to £13.2 billion.
Smokers’ need for health and social care at a younger age than non-smokers also creates costs, with smoking costing the NHS an additional £2.4 billion and a further £1.2 billion in s...
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