Taxpayers fork out £4m for smokers

SMOKING-related illnesses cost £4-million to North Lincolnshire taxpayers.

And about 2,115 people from the area are treated in hospital every year because of them.

North Lincolnshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) is now calling on the Government to sign up to the Beyond Smoking Kills report which revealed the figures.

It is being launched by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH).

Dr Andrew Furber, joint executive director of public Health of North Lincolnshire PCT, said: "We have joined the campaign for a proper national plan to reduce the harm from tobacco and we are pleased to endorse this important report."

The annual cost of smoking to the NHS in England has increased from £1.7-billion in 1998 to £2.7-billion.

Beyond Smoking Kills makes a number of recommendations including plain packaging for all tobacco products and banning the display of tobacco products in shops.

Deborah Arnott, director of ASH, added: "As this report demonstrates, the Government needs to introduce a proper plan for tackling the harm caused by tobacco."

For the full story, buy today's Scunthorpe Telegraph.