THE cost of caring for people suffering from smoking-related illnesses but still living at home has risen to more than £4m, according to new figures.

Swindon Council is spending £2.4m of its social care funding on regular carer visits, as well as services like meals on wheels, to support those with conditions triggered by smoking.

With patients paying more than £1.79m of their own money every year to cover day-to-day care as a result of the lethal habit, the total bill is more than £4m.

The figures come from a report released by the charity, Action on Smoking and Health.

Cherry Jones, acting director of public health at Swindon Council, described the financial burden of smoking as “concerning”.

“Smoking has an enormous cost to the economy and reducing the number of people in Swindon who smoke is a high priority for us,” she said.

“The financial impact of smoking in Swindon is concerning and runs into many millions for Swindon every year, from costs to the NHS, to revenue lost from local businesses due to the illicit trade of illegal tobacco.

“It’s no secret that smoking kills, but the consequences on people’s general health and quality of life are perhaps less publicised.

“Around 1,600 people are admitted to hospital in Swindon because of a smoking related illness every year and smoking will claim the lives of an estimated 270 people in the borough this year alone.”

Smokers over 50 are twice as likely to need help with day-to-day living, such as cleaning, dressing, shopping and housework.

On average, they require care nine years earlier than most non-smokers.

According to the survey, 150 more people each year in Swindon need local authority social care as a result of smoking.

And more than 3,000 people are believed to be receiving unpaid care from friends or family in the region.

Fiona Andrews, director of Smokefree South West, said: “For every person who dies from smoking, 20 are living with a smoking-related illness.

“This research shows us another element of the cost of smoking to all of us, not just on local authority funded services but also on our local communities.

“Smokers not only die younger but need care on average nine years earlier than non-smokers. Reducing smoking can help to address funding challenges and make a real difference to those who may otherwise need years of care.

“We aim to work closely with public health teams in councils to encourage people to stop smoking not just for their own sake, but because it could make an important contribution to reducing pressures on adult social care in the future.”

Residents are being encouraged to give up cigarettes for good during Stoptober.

For advice on how to quit call the Swindon Stop Smoking Service on 0800 389 2229 or 01793 465513, text 07881 281797 or email besmokefree@seqol.org.