Smoking Costs East Riding £225 Million a Year as New Figures Are Revealed

New figures from Action on Smoking and Health reveal that smoking costs the East Riding an estimated £225 million every year in lost productivity, healthcare, and social care.

New figures have revealed that the total annual cost of smoking to the East Riding is an estimated £225 million.

Published by the charity Action on Smoking and Health, the data highlights the significant economic and social impact of smoking across the region.

According to the figures, around 30,100 people still smoke in the East Riding, which places a heavy burden on individuals, communities, and public services.

The £225 million estimated cost includes £126 million in lost productivity, £87.5 million in social care costs, £10 million in healthcare costs through hospital admissions and primary care, and £2.27 million linked to fires caused by smoking.

In contrast, revenue from tobacco taxation raises around £44 million a year, excluding VAT.

Across the wider Yorkshire and Humber region, the cost totals £4.64 billion per year, while the figure for England as a whole stands at £44.8 billion.

Scott Crosby, Associate Director of the 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."

The new costs come as an annual public opinion survey by Action on Smoking and Health shows that 67 per cent of adults in England support a goal to make Britain a country where no one smokes.

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, 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."

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.

Hazel Cheeseman, Chief Executive of Action on Smoking and Health, 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 publication of the figures follows 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 fifteen local authorities and Yorkshire Cancer Research.

The campaign aims to inspire smokers to quit by raising awareness that every cigarette steals an average of twenty minutes off a person's 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."

Residents looking for free, personalised support to stop smoking can access the East Riding Quit Smoking programme with Xyla on the Healthier Futures website or by calling 0330 236 9102.