Smokers across the South East are estimated to be spending a staggering £2.12 billion a year on cigarettes, according to new analysis of official figures.
Research by vaping retailer Ecigone suggests around 606,100 people across the region smoke, with the annual cost of cigarettes working out at £276 for every adult resident, whether they smoke or not.
Despite the enormous figure, the South East has the lowest estimated cigarette spending per adult of any English region, sitting 11% below the UK average of £309.
The analysis, based on Office for National Statistics (ONS) smoking data published on 6 October, highlights the significant amount of money being spent on tobacco across the region.
Hastings in East Sussex is among the areas with the highest estimated spending per adult, at £496 a year, while Crawley in West Sussex follows at £434.
The figures suggest that smokers in Hastings collectively spend around £36.4 million annually, compared with £41.6 million in Crawley.
Elsewhere, Worthing has an estimated annual cigarette bill of £36 million, while Brighton and Hove accounts for £82.5 million.
In Hampshire, smokers in Southampton are estimated to spend £70.8 million annually, compared with £24.3 million in Gosport.
How much is being spent across the South East?
The research estimates the following annual cigarette expenditure in selected council areas:
|
Area |
Annual spending |
Per adult resident |
|---|---|---|
|
Hastings |
£36.4 million |
£496 |
|
Crawley |
£41.6 million |
£434 |
|
Worthing |
£36 million |
£387 |
|
Gosport |
£24.3 million |
£364 |
|
Brighton and Hove |
£82.5 million |
£345 |
|
Rother |
£27.6 million |
£345 |
|
Southampton |
£70.8 million |
£336 |
|
Winchester |
£21.1 million |
£193 |
|
New Forest |
£32 million |
£219 |
|
East Hampshire |
£23.3 million |
£221 |
The figures come following an increase in tobacco duty on 1 October, which added an estimated £1.21 to the average price of a packet of cigarettes.
Researchers calculated the average cost of a packet of 20 cigarettes at approximately £19.18.
Based on someone smoking an average of 10 cigarettes a day, the annual cost is estimated at around £3,500 per smoker.
The research used ONS smoking prevalence estimates and population figures to calculate the number of smokers in each local authority area before applying the same estimated cigarette consumption and price across the country.
Actual spending will vary depending on individual smoking habits and whether people purchase manufactured cigarettes or rolling tobacco.
Shane Margereson, owner of Ecigone, said the increasing cost of tobacco was encouraging some smokers to look for cheaper alternatives.
He said: "Rolling your own is cheaper per cigarette than buying packs, which is why plenty of smokers switch to it when money gets tight. It is worth being clear that it is not any safer."
He also highlighted the financial difference between smoking and vaping, while acknowledging that vaping is not without risks.
Although cigarette spending in the South East remains below the national average when measured against the adult population, the research suggests tobacco continues to represent a substantial financial burden across the region.
Free support for people looking to stop smoking is available through local NHS stop smoking services and the NHS Quit Smoking app.
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