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CHARITY CALLS FOR 30p INCREASE IN PACK OF CIGS
Wednesday 24 March 2010
A leading medical charity has urged the Chancellor to increase the price of a pack of cigarettes by 5% above inflation. This would mean an increase of 30p.
Andrew Dougal, Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke (NICHS) said this is a one-off 5% increase above inflation which will pay dividends in the years ahead. It is anticipated that this could reduce the number of smokers in Northern Ireland by up to 5,400.
This proposal could mean a cost benefit saving of around £270m per year throughout the United Kingdom or a saving of almost £8m in Northern Ireland.
These savings will be achieved through cost reductions in the NHS, reduced absenteeism at work, higher output from extra working life, as well as the value of extra years of life.
It would mean an extra £27m in tobacco taxation for the Exchequer, a saving of £33m in a reduction in disability benefits but would mean extra expenditure on pensioner benefits of just £3m - total net saving of £57m (UK figures).
The Charity is making its call the day the Chancellor announces his budget for 2010.
