Cheap fags and booze

A recent announcement by the chancellor promoted cheap cigarettes and alcohol as something we can all look forward to following a no deal Brexit. A government department promoting the use of tobacco and alcohol at a time when life expectancy is stalling—and, for some groups, falling—is, at best, ignorance, and, at worst, shameless political marketing.

Despite falling smoking rates, tobacco use remains the leading cause of death and second leading cause of disability in the UK.1 In England alone, it is responsible for 200 deaths a day and costs the economy an estimated £14.7bn (€16.5bn; $18.3bn) a year.2

The societal costs of alcohol related harm are even higher, estimated at more than £20bn annually. It’s not …