The true cost of smoking

Smoking remains a huge problem in Wales with far too many young people starting the habit.  Callum Littlemore, our Communications Officer in Wales, explores the true cost of smoking in Wales.

In 2017, the Welsh Government set a target to reduce the number of smokers in Wales to 16% of all adults by 2020, to help protect people’s lung health. To date, this target has not been met - with 18% of adults continuing to smoke and Wales currently having no target to reduce levels of smoking further.

The UK Government has committed to reducing smoking to 5% of the population in England by 2030, and the Scottish Government has outlined a similar target of 5% by 2034.

Smoking is a dangerous addiction which damages your lungs. People who smoke are more likely to develop serious health conditions, such as lung cancer and heart and circulatory diseases, due to the sustained damage being inflicted.

Smoking is also the biggest cause of early preventable death in adults aged over 35 in Wales and it costs the NHS in Wales over £300 million a year.

It is clear we need a greater focus on reducing the prevalence of this dangerous addiction.

We must ensure that that people are able to access the tailored and quality support that they need to quit. Recent figures show that 8% of 15 and 16-year-olds smoke regularly, a level that has remained the same over the past decade. Around 6,000 children in Wales take up smoking every year, and three out of four of those children will go on to become long-term smokers.

We know that addiction can start as early as childhood, with people carrying these addictions on through their lives. In a recent YouGov survey, 81% of current smokers in Wales said they had tried their first cigarette before the age of 18 - highlighting the huge challenge we face to protect children from being drawn into the habit.

Sadly, we know that it’s those from the poorest communities who are the most affected and are twice as likely to die from avoidable causes than people from more affluent areas. This is due to a culmination of factors, including greater exposure to air pollution and higher rates of smoking. 

We cannot allow this tragic post code lottery to continue.

We need an ambitious long-term strategy, focused on reducing levels of smoking and air pollution in communities across Wales and working with smokers to help them quit for good.

Smoking among pregnant women in Wales is also a serious concern. Currently 17% of pregnant women in Wales smoke throughout their pregnancy. Rates are highest among pregnant teenagers, with 35% smoking throughout their pregnancy. This increases the risk of their child being stillborn, premature or with serious birth defects.

We want the Welsh Government to demonstrate its commitment to creating a smoke-free Wales by setting out a roadmap.

This will reduce smoking levels to 5%, in line with England and Scotland, in order to help protect the health of people and communities across Wales.

This roadmap should include plans for:

• Smoking cessation support to be offer to all smokers admitted to hospital,

• Targeted services made available in community settings in the areas where levels of smoking are highest,

• Marketing campaigns aimed at raising health awareness and encouraging smokers to quit,

• Greater investment to crack down on illegal tobacco,

• Extending smoking bans to cover more public spaces, including town centres and outdoor seating areas of cafes, bars, and restaurants.

Unless we take these steps, thousands will continue to suffer and die every year due to smoking. It’s our duty to act and keep people safe from this dangerous addiction.

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