Smoking burns 2,500-pound hole in the pocket
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Smokers pay hundreds of pounds a year in hidden costs on top of the price of their cigarettes, according to government research on Wednesday.
The NHS Smoking Helpline said higher health and life insurance premiums, smokers’ toothpaste and breath freshener inflate the cost of lighting up.
An average 20-a-day smoker can expect to pay 676 pounds a year on top of the 1,825 pounds cost of the cigarettes, creating a 2,500-pound annual bill.
“As well as costing you your health, smoking makes a huge dent in your finances”, said NHS Smoking Helpline adviser Indrani Paul.
“The conservative total figure we have come up with represents well over 10 percent of the average national salary.”
Other costs of smoking include cough sweets, chewing gum, dry cleaning bills and mending cigarette burns in furniture, he added.
About 26 percent of men in Britain and 23 percent of women smoke, according to government statistics.
A smoking ban in all enclosed public spaces in England is due to come into force next year. The government hopes to persuade 125,000 smokers to give up each year.
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