Smokers ‘do not realise full risks’

The research from NHS Smokefree revealed that 53 per cent of smokers underestimate the number of annual deaths from smoking-related diseases by at least 70,000. The actual number of such deaths is more than 80,000.

A further 58 per cent underestimated how many long-term smokers die early from smoking-related diseases. According to the NHS, the figure is one in two of all such smokers. Of those surveyed, 8 per cent did not realise smoking can seriously damage their health or lead to early death.

The Government is urging people to quit the habit as a New Year’s resolution. Public Health Minister Anne Milton said: “Quitting smoking is the very best thing you can do to improve your health this New Year.”

Smokers also underestimatethe cost. Someone smoking 20 a day spends on average £2,405 a year on the habit, but smokers believed it cost roughly £1,800.