Smoking-related illnesses and fag breaks cost the UK £12BILLION a year, research shows

SMOKERS cost the UK economy £12billion a year through illness and fag breaks, a study found.

The total comes despite the number of people smoking having fallen from around 11million to 9million in the past eight years.

2

Workers nipping out to have a cigarette break cost businesses £3.6billion a year — around £10million a day.

And employees taking time off sick due to smoking-related illnesses cost an additional £8.4billion.

Using data from public health charity Ash, vaping specialists Vapourcore.com looked at the cost of smoking in different regions.

Its study found London (£1.7billion a year) is worst hit, followed by Manchester and the West Midlands.

MOST READ IN HEALTH NEWS

DOC'S ORDERS

GP practices warn patients ‘don’t ring until Monday’ after global IT outage

I-SCREAM

Full list of 70 ice creams recalled amid fears of listeria outbreak

VAPING BAD

Is vaping better than smoking?

THE MARK OF MADDIE

Madeleine McCann's rare eye condition coloboma explained

The lowest costs were £45million in Dorset.

Vapourcore chief Charles Bloom said: “The numbers prove smoking remains a countrywide issue.

“Instead of redistributing wealth into the local economy and improving the experiences of consumers, companies are having to spend their excess on facilitating employees’ smoking habits.”

2

• GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL [email protected]