Smokers cost the NHS £1 million a day

A quarter of the adult population in Wales is a smoker. The majority claim to have started their habit as a youngster. According to new figures, smoking costs the NHS a staggering £1 million a day. The findings have emerged after an official report, commissioned by the British Heart foundation. The report claims that smoking related diseases cost the NHS in Wales up to £386m between 2007 and 2008.

This coupled with the fact smoking accounts for 22% of adult hospital admission costs (£235m every year) has prompted government officials to take a stand in the fight against smoking. The report is due to be presented at an international tobacco control conference in Cardiff, by Prof Ceri J Phillips from Swansea University. Other findings from the study included the fact that £43 million a year is spent on doctor’s consultations for smoking related illnesses.

What’s even more worrying is that 6,000 die from smoking every year, in Wales alone. According to the report, this number is set to rise. A spokes person from Ash Wales said : "What this report doesn't include is the huge cost to the economy of Wales, for example more than £23m from lost productivity through smoking related sickness absences and £6m from smoking related fires”- BBC,09.

We recommend you seek medical advice before deciding upon the best course of smoke cessation treatments.