Tobacco company levy could raise up to £4.9bn and prevent 10,000 hospital admissions, study suggests
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Updates every hour. Last Updated: 28-May-2026 03:15 ET (28-May-2026 07:15 GMT/UTC)
The UK could raise up to £4.9 billion over five years and significantly improve public health by capping tobacco prices and increasing taxes.
Research published by the University of Bath Tobacco Control Research Group and the University of Sheffield’s Addictions Research Group, provides the first real-world modelling of a proposed ‘polluter pays’ tobacco levy scheme.
The study found that the proposed policy, aimed at stopping the tobacco industry from using pricing as a marketing tool, could raise between £1 billion and £4.9 billion over five years, depending on the level of price cap and how quickly it is introduced. It could also prevent up to 10,000 hospital admissions and save almost 44,000 years of life over a 20-year period.
Persistent methane emissions from sectors such as agriculture and growing debates over the credibility of carbon offsets are creating new challenges for governments and companies pursuing net-zero commitments. New research suggests temporary carbon storage may have a scientifically valid role in helping support climate goals, if used in the right way.
Weekly updates from NCCN share every time a change is made to evidence-based, expert consensus-driven guidelines for cancer prevention, screening, treatment, and supportive care. Learn more at NCCN.org/updates.
A scientific review published today in the NEJM Evidence journal, coordinated by the D’Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), evaluated outcomes of adults with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) in middle-income countries.
In contrast to high-income countries, where mortality ranges from 16% to 26%, the study found significantly higher rates in the countries analyzed. The work brought together 52 studies and approximately 48,707 patients, revealing an overall mortality rate of 37.1%, which increased to 59.3% among patients requiring respiratory support.