Smoking costs Herefordshire more than £37 million a year, through NHS costs, sick days and even smoking breaks, according to new analysis by Action on Smoking and Health.

The latest complete figures show 14% of people smoked in Herefordshire in 2016, less than the England average of 16%. The study estimates smoking costs Herefordshire’s economy £20 million a year, due to lost working days.

The charity has calculated how much income has been lost by people who die before retirement age, where smoking is a factor.

The analysis also accounts for time lost due to smoking breaks, and smoking related sick days.

According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, smokers suffer on average 2.74 additional sick days a year compared with non-smokers.

The research also found smoking costs the NHS in Herefordshire £10 million a year, based on smoking-related hospital admissions and the cost of patients.

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