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.