Smoking is costing Wakefield an estimated £308 million a year
However Wakefield Council says smoking rates are falling
Smoking is costing Wakefield an estimated £308 million a year, according to new figures.
The biggest costs come from lost productivity, social care and healthcare, with nearly £100 million also being spent on tobacco by local smokers each year.
But despite this Wakefield Council says smoking rates are falling.
Cllr Ansar Hayat, Cabinet Member for Adults and Health, said:
“Smoking continues to have a real impact in Wakefield. On people’s health, on families, and on our local services. These figures show the scale of that challenge, but they also highlight the opportunity we have to make a difference. By supporting more people to quit, we can improve lives, reduce health inequalities and ease pressure on services, particularly in the communities who are most affected.”