Smoking kills one Gateshead resident every 21 hours, according to shocking figures.
The data, which comes from a report to Gateshead Council's Health and Wellbeing Board, has revealed the true cost of smoking in the borough.
It stated that 29,000 adults in the area, or 17.8% of those aged over 18, smoke but warned that youngsters picking up the habit could mean the figure is as high as 33,000.
Around 420 people in Gateshead die per year from smoking, representing one death every 21 hours, according to the report.
This includes:
37 deaths due to heart disease
13 deaths due to strokes
174 deaths due to lung cancer
9 deaths due to oral cancer
147 deaths from COPD
The poorest areas have more smokers, with people living in the most deprived areas four times more likely to smoke that those in the least deprived neighbourhoods.
It said: "Tobacco dependence is a chronic relapsing condition that starts in childhood and is familial. Smoking is the single largest cause of preventable premature deaths.
"It is responsible for around half of the difference in life expectancy between Gateshead and the national average."
The habit is also costing the borough millions including employers who are being hit in the pocket as a result of smoking breaks.
Its estimated that tobacco use is causing the area to lose a total of £48,340,070 in 2018.
Broke down, the habit is costing the NHS £10,094,105. Meanwhile productivity in the area is being hit to a tune of £33,007,840.
Early deaths are costing £10,626,750, absenteeism £49,79,010 and smoking breaks £12,310,970.
Economic inactivity due to smoking related illness is costing £5,091,112 and social care is costing £4,169,000 with the local authority paying £3,397,340 and private costs totalling £771,660.
