Charity urges Somerset smokers to quit
ASH say smokers cost the NHS 149 million pounds in Somerset
A stop smoking charity has warned more people in Somerset need to quit to prevent money being wasted.
Research by Action on Smoking and Health has found it costs the NHS in the county an additional 29 million pounds and a further 14 million in social care costs to support smokers.
The charity says the cost of smoking to society totals ÂŁ17.04bn for England each year, which is higher than the previous estimate. They say this is due to the impact of smoking on productivity, as smokers of working age are more likely to become ill than non-smokers.
Hazel Cheeseman - Deputy Chief Executive at the charity - says the government needs to invest in more preventative measures, including social media campaigns encouraging people to stop smoking.