Data has revealed that smoking could be costing Hampshire public services £470 million and is responsible for 4,275 deaths in four years.

The annual report from Hampshire County Council’s director of public health revealed that around 152,000 people smoke in Hampshire. Many more continue to be exposed to secondhand smoke in homes, at work, and outdoor public places.

It said people who smoke are 25 times more likely to develop lung cancer than non-smokers and are also at greater risk of developing heart disease, stroke, lung disease and other cancers.

This generates extra pressure on the already burdened NHS because people who smoke require access to assisted care 10 years earlier than people who do not smoke, it said. In Hampshire, figures show more than 8,500 hospital admissions are caused by smoking each year.

Among collateral damage as a result of smoking is tooth decay and gum disease, infertility, stomach ulcers, cataracts, type 2 diabetes, dementia or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

It has also been reported that smoking may cost Hampshire public services £470 million and is linked to 4,275 smoking-related deaths between 2017 and 2019.

Despite social consciousness about not smoking during pregnancy, in Hampshire, 8.6 per cent of mothers smoke at delivery.

Simon Bryant, director of public health, said that working together is a key part of “make smoking history”.

“There are a number of things we do and continue to do with the new investment. We’ve been able to invest in our smoking cessation services and expand that to include a vape quit service for young people.

“We are working with adult services to see how we can support clients who may find it harder to give up to take that opportunity.

“Also using this to challenge NHS colleagues. I think we can do much more in the NHS. We know a number of people who go to the hospital who are smokers. Yet, the way that offers support doesn’t work because it’s just kind of almost a little bit casual, so we’re championing that as well.”

In regards to what the council can do to address youth vaping, Mr Bryant said that the authority has seen a “huge increase” in vaping.

“My message is, if you don’t smoke, don’t vape.”

He added: “We are supporting schools because they are dealing with that on a daily basis, having those conversations and working across [departments] to enable schools to get the right information out.”