Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne said the government shortly will launch a consultation on introducing a levy on tobacco manufacturers and importers to help pay for smoking related illnesses, The Independent said.

“Smoking imposes costs on society, and the government believes it is therefore fair to ask the tobacco industry to make a greater contribution”, Osborne reportedly said in connection with his Autumn Statement to Parliament.
Labour previously proposed a levy to support and improve National Health Service cancer treatment, the newspaper said on its website. Osborne’s statement appears to indicate agreement between the government and opposition on proceeding with the levy, The Independent reported.