ASH Wales welcomes the announcement by the Chancellor that there is to be a 2% increase in tobacco duty above inflation to help reduce smoking prevalence.

Tanya Buchanan, Chief Executive of ASH Wales, said:

“We know that increasing taxes on tobacco are a proven and effective means of reducing smoking prevalence and not only provides an incentive for smokers to quit but significantly dissuades others from starting to smoke. However, the money raised through tobacco taxes should be targeted at services which help smokers to quit.

“Tobacco use remains the single most significant preventable cause of disease and mortality in Wales and costs the Welsh NHS more than £386 million every year. That is why we support an increase in the price of tobacco products at a rate faster than inflation.”