While health concerns remain the primary reason for quitting, the study suggests that emphasizing the financial savings could encourage more people to make quit attempts.

The average price of a packet of 20 cigarettes is currently over £14, and is expected to rise to £16 by 2026.

Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death and disease in the UK, with cigarettes containing tobacco and toxins that can lead to lung cancer, lung disease, and heart disease, and approximately half of all lifelong smokers dying prematurely.

A study published in the BMJ Public Health journal found that the number of smokers in England trying to quit has increased since the Covid-19 pandemic, with half of them citing health concerns as their reason.

The proportion of smokers has decreased from nearly 20% in 2011 to 12.7% in 2023.

The researchers attribute this trend to heightened awareness of health risks during the pandemic.

Additionally, the price of cigarettes was a motivating factor for a quarter of quit attempts, up from a fifth before the pandemic.

Overall, the study emphasizes that it's never too late to quit smoking and reduce health risks.

The text discusses the impact of Covid-19 on people's jobs and income, leading to a cost-of-living crisis.

In the midst of these challenges, Dr Sarah Jackson from UCL suggests that encouraging smokers to switch to e-cigarettes as a cost-saving measure could be a helpful message in future anti-smoking campaigns.

According to previous research, smokers spend an average of £20 per week on cigarettes, while e-cigarette users spend only £6.30.