New analysis of national data commissioned by charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) finds that the proportion of smokers living in poverty is 82,000 in London.
The new breakdown published last week [Wednesday 9th February] shows that In England as a whole 31% of households containing smokers live in poverty once spending on smoking is accounted for, whereas in London it is 17%.
The link between smoking and disadvantage is well established, but this new analysis highlights how the impact of smoking on local communities is compounded in regions where household incomes are also lower.
| Region | Rate of poverty among smoking households | Number of smoking households in poverty |
| England | 31% | 1,160,000 |
| London | 17% | 82,000 |
Households where people smoke are poorer because of an addiction which usually started in childhood. Two thirds of adult smokers started before they reached 18, and most of them go on to become regular adult smokers. Smoking is highly addictive and on average it takes thirty attempts before a smoker successfully stops for good. [4] |People living with social and economic hardship tend to be more addicted, and find it harder to quit, although they try just as often.
The findings also showed:
- The average smoker is spending just under £2,000 a year on tobacco costing England smokers a total of £12 billion [6]
- Each year in London, 82,000 or 17% of smoking households are living in poverty when spending on tobacco is taken into account, including 284,479 adults below pension age, 52,056 pension age adults and around 134,588 dependent children. [7]
- Smokers’ employment chances and average earnings are also damaged by smoking creating further hardship for people, especially those who have to give up working due to smoking-related ill health. In London, 39,572 people are economically inactive due to smoking and smokers earn 6.8% less than non-smokers. [8]
- Current smokers are 2.5 times more likely to require social care support at home and need care on average 10 years earlier than non-smokers [9], accounting for 8% of local authority spending on adult social care.
Speaking on behalf of Stop Smoking London, Dr Somen Banerjee, Co-Chair and Smoking Cessation Lead of the London Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH) said:
“Smoking is at the heart of health inequalities in London. We know that the more disadvantaged someone is, the more likely they are to smoke and to suffer from smoking-related disease and premature death. People working in lower paid routine and manual jobs as well as people with experience of serious mental illness represent a significant proportion of smokers.
“Stopping smoking is one of the most significant modifiable lifestyle changes we can make. Stopping smoking can be life changing, brings immediate health benefits and can add years to your life.
“I urge smokers in London who want to quit to take up the free help that is available. This includes the Stop Smoking London website and helpline which provide digital and telephone support as well as details of your local stop smoking services. You are three times as likely to quit successfully with the support of your local stop smoking service than if you try to stop smoking on your own”
