Chancellor George Osborne has announced further cuts in public services, including Public Health spending in the Autumn Comprehensive spending review, but the sector could be receiving a boost from the Big Tobacco industry.
The current cost to the NHS of treating smoking-related diseases is £2bn a year in England. This doesn’t take into account the costs accrued by employers and businesses as a result; Local authorities with the lowest business rates also have the highest levels of smoking.
Deborah Arnott, Chief Executive of health charity ASH said: “To cut local authorities' public health budgets at this time is penny pinching and will cost lives.”
However Mr Osborne mentioned the implementation of a tobacco levy, which seeks to force tobacco companies to take responsibility for the problems they create by helping to fund public health. It has be hinted that this money could go towards improving cancer treatment, helping smokers to quit, and to prevent children from taking up the habit.
“Smoking imposes costs on society, and the Government believes it is therefore fair to ask the tobacco industry to make a greater contribution,” the Chancellor said. “The Government will shortly launch a consultation on introducing a levy on tobacco manufacturers and importers.”
Tobacco control is essential to reduce healthcare bills, as well as the unhappiness that individuals and their families experience as a result of tobacco usage. Stop smoking services have been shown to be hugely cost effective, and help to reduce the number of individuals who suffer harm from traditional tobacco products.
