Smoking-related hospital admissions in England increased by nearly five per cent in 2022-23, compared to the previous year, but remain lower than before the covid pandemic.

The latest statistics from NHS England show that in 2022-23, there were an estimated 408,700 hospital admissions due to smoking, a rise from 389,800 in 2021-22 (an increase of 4.8 per cent).

The newly published figures in NHS England’s ‘Statistics on Public Health, 2023’ report also cover 2020-21, when there were 314,100 admissions attributed to smoking, which was consistent with fewer hospital admissions overall that year.

Smoking-related admissions in each of the past three years were lower than in 2019-20, prior to the pandemic, when there were 446,400.

Around one in six (16 per cent) of all hospital admissions for respiratory diseases in 2022-23 were estimated to be related to smoking, while it also caused eight per cent of all admissions for cancers and seven per cent of admissions for cardiovascular diseases.

A new study also suggests a decades-long decline in smoking prevalence in England has stalled since the start of the pandemic.

The study, led by UCL researchers, funded by Cancer Research UK and published in the journal BMC Medicine, looked at survey responses from 101,960 adults and found the rate of decline has slowed to 0.3 per cent.

Matt Fagg, NHS England’s director for prevention and long-term conditions, said, “We have seen great progress in prevention and tackling smoking-related ill health in recent years, with smoking rates falling significantly in the UK and remaining below most of our peers internationally, but it is clear there is still more to do to help save and improve more lives.

“Quitting smoking is the best way to improve health and to prevent over 50 serious smoking-related illnesses from developing, but we know it can be very difficult to overcome an addiction. That is why the NHS is rolling out dedicated support for patients in hospitals to tackle their tobacco dependency, in addition to traditional Stop Smoking Services.

“Being in hospital is a significant event in someone’s life, and people can be more open to making healthier choices. The tobacco dependence treatment offered by the NHS can significantly improve the health and wellbeing of the person smoking and their family.”

The NHS is backing the government’s ambition for a smoke-free generation by 2030, with a focus on stopping people from starting to smoke.

The NHS also offers dedicated support for pregnant women to stop smoking. The Saving Babies’ Lives Care Bundle is a clinical guide for maternity service providers to help reduce stillbirth and pre-term birth rates, which are a greater risk for pregnant women who smoke.

Andrea Leadsom, public health minister, said, “No other consumer product kills up to two-thirds of its users, which is why we have set out plans to stop children who turn 14 this year and younger from ever legally being sold cigarettes – the most significant public health intervention in a generation.

“We are doubling funding for stop smoking services, helping 360,000 people quit, and providing local authorities with one million free vapes via our world-first ‘Swap to Stop’ programme.”

This autumn, the NHS rolled out its biggest ever programme to improve early lung cancer diagnosis, which is caused by smoking in 72 per cent of cases. More than a million current or former smokers have so far been invited for lung cancer checks in community locations through the Targeted Lung Cancer Health Check initiative.

The checks have also identified thousands of people with other undiagnosed respiratory conditions, allowing them to get treatment much quicker and prevent potential hospitalisations.

Hazel Cheeseman, deputy chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), said, “Smoking is the leading cause of premature death responsible for half the difference in life expectancy between the most and least advantaged in society.

“The provision of tobacco dependence treatment by the NHS is playing a vital role in improving the health and wellbeing of the nation and reducing health inequalities across society.

“When sick smokers quit they improve both their quality and length of life and free up NHS capacity at a time when, more than ever, this is sorely needed.”

Henry Gregg, director of external affairs at Asthma + Lung UK, said, “Smoking remains the biggest cause of lung disease deaths in the UK and there is a direct link between it and preventable lung conditions like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

“Smokers are also at a higher risk of getting chest infections, including flu, pneumonia and Covid-19, and experiencing more severe symptoms.”

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