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Messages encouraging smokers to quit could be added to cigarette packs. A draft proposal with the suggestion is being considered by the Government. According to the Department of Health, these inserts will highlight the financial and health benefits of giving up smoking and the support available to those trying to quit. The Department of Health hopes the inserts – which have already been used in other countries including Canada and Israel, with Australia also planning to introduce them – could lead to an additional 30,000 smokers giving up, saving up to £1.6 billion in health costs. Smoking is still one of the most preventable causes of illness and death in the UK, with around 76,000 people dying from it every year, according to NHS figures. The consultation launched on Monday and will be running until October. In the meantime, it’s always a good time to try and stop smoking, and focusing on the positive outcomes can help you stay on track too. Here are some of the financial and health benefits of quitting smoking… More disposable income Smoking costs around £17.3 billion a year across England overall, according to the latest 2023 economic data analysis commissioned by public health charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH). This includes a significant cost to the NHS and social care, with smoking-related admissions and primary treatments reportedly costing £1.9 billion yearly. However, quitting smoking could make a significant difference to people’s individual pockets too – a major incentive to beat the habit. Especially right now, with the cost of living so high. According to Everyone Health, if you get through 20 cigarettes a day, with a packet of cigarettes costing £13.30, that’s a spend of £93.10 per week, or £4,841.20 per year. The average smoker may smoke a bit less than that per day, but this could still add up to serious money. “The average smoker can save around £38 a week by quitting smoking, that’s £2,000 a year, according to the NHS,” said Abbas Kanani, a pharmacist at Chemist Click. What could you do for yourself and your family with that extra money? Better mental and physical healthThe good news is, evidence suggests quitting at any point in life leads to big improvements in your health, including increased life expectancy and lower disease risk. “Stopping smoking is one of the best things you will ever do for your health,” said Kanani. “Quitting smoking improves your physical health, and boosts your mental health and wellbeing after as little as six weeks of being smoke-free. Every time you smoke a cigarette, your body is flooded with thousands of chemicals, many of which are poisonous. “The day you stop, your body starts clearing itself of all those nasty toxins and the repair process begins. People who have quit also have increased positive mood compared with people who continue to smoke,” Kanani added: “Longer-term risks of cancer, lung disease, heart disease and stroke will be significantly reduced too. You will also be less likely to develop type 2 diabetes, bone disease including osteoporosis, eye disease and dementia.” Improved blood circulation “The blood circulation to your heart and muscles can improve, which will make physical activity easier and improve lung function, which leads to reductions in any cough, wheezing or other breathing problems,” continued Kanani. All of this will have a knock-on effect on how energised you feel day-to-day, as well as contributing to better general health in the short and long term. Improved sense of taste and smell Being able to taste and smell food better is another huge bonus to quitting smoking. George Sandhu, deputy superintendent pharmacist at Well Pharmacy, said: “There are a number of almost immediate benefits to stopping smoking, including healthier teeth and gums, fresher breath, and improved sense of taste and smell. In the longer term, you’ll probably find your breathing will improve, and ultimately you’ll probably end up living a longer, healthier life.” Protecting your loved ones from second-hand smoke Second-hand smoking or ‘passive smoking’ is dangerous too. According to the NHS, most of the smoke from a cigarette goes into the air around you and not your lungs – therefore it’s those around you or nearby that will breath it in. And as the World Health Organisation (WHO) highlights, tobacco kills more than 8 million people each year, including 1.3 million non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke. “Quitting means you’ll protect your loved ones from the potential health harms of second-hand smoke too,” said Kanani. If you would like support to help you quit smoking, talk to your GP or local pharmacist. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Is it ever safe to sunbathe? A beginner’s guide to pickling your homegrown fruit and veg Mother tried to cure son of disease by putting him in a hole as a child

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For those who don’t want to check into a hotel, there is a budget-friendly alternative: the aparthotel. Long seen as the boring but functional alternative to traditional hotels for business travellers, stylish versions more akin to boutique boltholes have been popping up all over the country in recent years. They come with their own private kitchens, and sometimes even a lounge, which will provide couples and even families with much-needed space in which to relax. Unlike cottages or Airbnbs, there’s generally much better availability, flexibility and facilities, just like hotels. We’re talking everything from gyms and spas to bars and collaborative workspaces. So, if you’re someone who takes the phrase “a home away from home” seriously and are looking for the best of both worlds, we’ve found some of the best options to check in to around England. The best aparthotels in the UK are: Best aparthotel for a workation: Your Apartment Clifton Village Best aparthotel for gin-lovers: Kingsland Locke Best aparthotel for gym buffs: Native Manchester Best aparthotel for waterfront views: Staybridge Suites Best aparthotel for relaxation: Hiding Space Westgate Apartments Best spa aparthotel: Captain’s Club Hotel & Spa, Christchurch Best aparthotel for home cooking: Hyatt House Manchester Best aparthotel for city stays: STAY Camden Best aparthotel for a workation: Your Apartment Clifton Village Location: Clifton, Bristol This Your Apartment’s outpost is in the heart of leafy Clifton Village, where cute coffee shops and gourmet delis are just a stroll away. Each of the 34 studio apartments come with a double or king size bed, kitchenette, dining tables and chairs. Everything is contactless – you can check yourself in via your mobile phone. If you stay for a week or more, for a workation (there’s a co-working space in the building), for example, they’ll even give you a discount. Best aparthotel for gin-lovers: Kingsland Locke Location: Hackney, London Locke has a small empire of design-led aparthotels in London, including the Kingsland Locke in the heart of Dalston. Upstairs, there are 124 apartments, subtly attired in mossy green, each with a full-sized kitchen. But perhaps the best bits are found elsewhere in the building, where, aside from a gym and co-working space, you’ll find KRAFT Dalston, a gin distillery and microbrewery in one. Best aparthotel for gym buffs: Native Manchester Location: Picadilly, Manchester Just two minutes’ walk from Manchester Piccadilly train station, this collection of 166 smart apartments is housed in a warehouse that once stored bales of cotton imported from the US. There are seven different styles of room to choose from, including bijoux studios all the way up to a two-bed penthouse duplex. Every apartment has its own fully equipped kitchen, lounge space and king-size beds. There’s plenty to keep you busy in the building, including a restaurant, cinema and even a studio offering fitness classes. Best aparthotel for waterfront views: Staybridge Suites Liverpool Location: Liverpool A short walk from Tate Liverpool is IHG’s pet-friendly Staybridge Suites. You have the option of two different sized apartments – a smaller studio suite or a one-bedroom suite with a lounge spacious enough for a sofa bed for guests. If you’re in one of the 132 guest suites that offer stunning views of the Royal Albert Dock, you may well be tempted to stay in and enjoy the view. Otherwise, the city’s waterfront bar scene is ready to be soaked up. Oh, and they’ll treat you to breakfast the morning after. Best aparthotel for relaxation: Hiding Space Westgate Apartments Location: Bath Hiding Space has a few boutique-style aparthotels in Bath but the most centrally located is Westgate Apartments, just a few paces from the city’s celebrated Thermae Spa. While perfect for a couple, you also have the option of adding sofa beds to the airy, Scandi-inspired living rooms for bigger groups. There’s no on-site gym or restaurant here, but with the city’s gorgeous, honeyed architecture and vibrant food scene right on the doorstep, you’re unlikely to spend much time indoors. Best spa aparthotel: Captain’s Club Hotel & Spa Location: Christchurch, Dorset Perched on the edge of the River Stour in Christchurch is the Captain’s Club Hotel & Spa, which has a set of 12 self-catering apartments designed for groups. It’s all about the views here – the floor-to-ceiling windows in the lounge area look out over the river and across to the Hengistbury Head nature reserve. To welcome you to Dorset, a hamper of local treats, including a bottle of the award-winning sparkling wine from nearby English Oak vineyard, awaits. Best aparthotel for home cooking: Hyatt House Manchester Location: Manchester Hyatt House Manchester’s 116 studios and one-bedroom suites sit snugly between the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University. The Laureate restaurant and The Graduate bar pay homage to its location but it’s the 18th-floor lounge, with high-flying views of the city, that’s the real star here. Breakfast is included – right now you can order ingredients to cook in your own kitchen or get it ready-made… just like room service. Best aparthotel for city stays: Stay Camden Location: Camden, London Stay Camden is made for workations – downstairs is hip co-working space LABS Collective, while, upstairs, you’ll find 169 apartments ranging from an airy one-bed to a spacious three-bed. Regardless of size, each of the Scandi-inspired apartments offers a fully-kitted kitchen and lounge area as well as a balcony to enjoy the London skyline. Pootle along the towpaths of Regent’s Canal to access the bars and restaurants on Camden High Street. Price: Rates from £270 Book now Read more of our hotel reviews: The best dog-friendly hotels The best affordable London hotels The best cosy UK hotels Read more about UK travel: Explore the Cotswolds, car-free The UK’s best holiday destinations for families Lake District guide: Where to eat, walk and stay Read More The best spa hotels in the UK 2023: Where to go for a relaxing staycation Cheap UK holidays 2023: 10 destinations for a budget staycation World’s best hotels with swimming pools 2023: Where to stay for healing swims, soaks and wildlife spotting The UK’s 10 best quirky hotels 2023: From lighthouses to train stations, make your next stay a unique one Best UK hotels 2023: Where to stay for a luxury or affordable break The best Scotland road trips to travel in your lifetime

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