Big tobacco should pay their share for NHS spending uplift

ASH CEO Hazel Cheeseman responded to the Government’s Spending Review announcement today (11/06/2025) saying:

"The Spending Review rightly acknowledges the importance of tobacco cessation for the sustainability of the NHS and prevention of disease with at least £80million being invested in cessation and enforcement annually. However, this is less than current spending. The Government should ensure that all current spending commitments are maintained - including swap to stop, financial incentives for pregnant women and mass media campaigns.

There is an opportunity, alongside the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, to accelerate progress towards a smokefree future. An additional investment of £97 million per year would ensure that there are 2 million fewer smokers by the end of this Parliament. A polluter pays levy on the Tobacco Industry would mean that this is not funded by the taxpayer.

A 3% increase in day to day spending for the NHS is also good news. However, how this will be spent is yet to be seen. ICBs must continue to fund smoking cessation programmes in NHS settings to ensure that no one is left behind from a smokefree future and the Labour Government delivers on its manifesto pledge for 'opt-out' services for all smokers."

View ASH’s submission to the Spending Review here.