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Estimated £225 million goes up in smoke each year as latest cost of smoking for East Riding revealed

Thursday, 11 June 2026

Councillor Jonathan Owen, East Riding of Yorkshire Council
Councillor Jonathan Owen, Cabinet Member for adults, health and care at East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Chair of the East Riding Health and Wellbeing Board

New figures reveal that the total annual cost of smoking to East Riding is an estimated £225 million. In the wider Yorkshire and Humber region this figure totals £4.64 billion per year and £44.8 billion for England as a whole. 

Published by the charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), the figures highlight the significant economic and social impact of smoking across the region, underlining the burden it places on individuals, communities, public services and the wider economy.  

The latest ASH data shows that around 30,100 people still smoke in the East Riding, which costs society through loss of productivity, healthcare, social care and fire costs. 

The estimated £225 million breakdown includes: 

  • £126 million in lost productivity costs  
  • £87.5 million in social care costs  
  • £10 million in healthcare costs (via hospital admissions and primary care) 
  • £2.27 million in costs linked to fires caused by smoking.  

Revenue from tobacco taxation raises around £44 million a year (excluding VAT).  

The new costs come as ASH’s annual public opinion survey shows there is public support for action to address smoking, with 67% of adults in England supporting a goal to make Britain a country where no one smokes. 

Scott Crosby, Associate Director of Centre for Excellence, said:  

These figures are a stark reminder that tobacco is draining Yorkshire and the Humber – from our economy to our NHS and our communities, with the costs falling on the public sector and wider society. This is not sustainable.  

“These figures highlight the need for sustained action to reduce smoking rates and help more people quit. 

Councillor Jonathan Owen, (pictured) Cabinet Member for adults, health and care at East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Chair of the East Riding Health and Wellbeing Board, said:   

The cost of smoking to East Riding is felt by families, our economy, healthcare and social care services, which is why improving health and wellbeing is a priority to protect our communities from the harms of tobacco and the next generation. 

"We know stopping smoking can be tough for some people but we are committed to helping residents, especially families and anyone pregnant, to quit through the free East Riding Quit Smoking programme with Xyla – Healthier Futures, our new Smokefree Homes incentive scheme and by providing free access to the Smoke Free app, where you can choose from a range of free NRT to support your journey.  

“There are more ways to quit than ever before, so even if you've attempted to stop smoking in the past, this time could be the one that you quit for good. 

ASH Chief Executive, Hazel Cheeseman, said:  

Reducing smoking rates would not only ease pressure on the NHS and boost productivity, it would also improve the lives of millions of people and families affected by smoking. Too many communities, particularly those in areas of high deprivation, where smoking rates are highest, continue to bear the greatest health and financial burden. 

“A levy on tobacco companies could help bring forward a smokefree future while funding the practical support people need to quit for good. 

The figures follow the launch of Turn the Corner in April 2026, a regional stop-smoking initiative coordinated by the Humber and North Yorkshire Centre for Excellence in partnership with 15 local authorities and Yorkshire Cancer Research. The campaign inspires smokers to quit by raising awareness of the powerful message that every cigarette steals an average of 20 minutes off your life. 

Scott Crosby added: 

Campaigns such as Turn the Corner are vital in raising awareness of the harm caused by tobacco. We’ve spoken with many former smokers who have first-hand experience of the devastation that tobacco can have on your health, lifestyle and finances.  

“Quitting smoking can genuinely help people turn a corner in their lives. 

Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable illness and premature death in the UK, causing around 80,000 deaths each year and harming nearly every organ of the body.  

To find free, personalised support to stop smoking in Yorkshire and Humber, including more information about accessing the Smoke Free app and free NRT such as Varenicline, visit: yestoquit.co.uk 

Find out more about the East Riding Quit Smoking programme with Xyla on the Healthier Futures website: www.healthier-futures.co.uk or call the team on 0330 236 9102.  

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