Thousands more smokers to get help to quit after cash boost of at least £80m
The bumper funding, announced in this week's Spending Review, will help pay for smoking cessation programmes, including local stop smoking services which provide access to patches and gum and give dedicated advice and support
Thousands more smokers will get help to quit thanks to a cash boost of at least £80 million.
The bumper funding, announced in this week's Spending Review, will help pay for smoking cessation programmes, including local stop smoking services which provide access to patches and gum and give dedicated advice and support.
Figures suggest smokers who use these services are three times more likely to quit than if trying it alone.
Last year such services helped more than 193,000 people attempt to quit.
And the funding boost will further strengthen their work with around 360,000 people expected to be helped to stop this year alone.
"Smoking kills around 80,000 people every year in the UK and costs our NHS billions that could be spent cutting waiting lists,' Health Secretary Wes Streeting said.
'This investment will help thousands more people break free from addiction while protecting our children from harmful products.'
Smoking puts huge pressure on the NHS, costing an estimated £3 billion a year.
It causes one in every four cancer deaths in England and kills up to two-thirds of its long-term users.
More cash will also go to Trading Standards, which received a £10 million boost in 2025/26 to hire around 80 new apprentice enforcement officers to stop harmful tobacco and vape products finding their way into neighbourhood shops.
Mr Streeting added: 'Tobacco is one of the biggest harms to the NHS, keeping people mired in ill health and impacting poorer communities more severely. Our 10 Year Health Plan will fundamentally rewire the NHS to shift from treatment to prevention and ensure the NHS is there for you, no matter where you live or what your background.'
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