Written question asked by Martyn Jones (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 12 June 1996. It was answered by Lord Horam (Conservative) on Wednesday, 12 June 1996 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: If he will estimate the annual cost to the National Health Service of smoking related diseases for each year from 1990, and give this figure as a percentage of the overall annual health care budget. - Inc figs and ref to the Health Education Authority's report, "The Smoking Epidemic - A Prescription for Change".

Answer: Mr. Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the annual cost to the national health service of smoking-related diseases for each year from 1990, and give this figure as a percentage of the overall annual health care budget; and if he will make a statement.[31900] Mr. Horam: Treatment costs to the national health service are not available on a year by year basis. Based on 1990 figures, the Health Education Authority's report, "The Smoking Epidemic--A Prescription for Change", estimated that the annual cost to the NHS of treatment smoking-related diseases is £610 million. The national health service's total gross expenditure in 1990-91 was £23,654 million.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 31900; 279 c187-8W;279 c183W
Session: 1995-96
Subjects: Costs Health services Health hazards NHS Medical treatments Smoking
Contains statistics: Yes