HSE's spend on quit-smoking aids doubles to €20m but Irish Heart Foundation says it should be €50m

The €20.1m HSE anti-smoking spend includes subsidising quit smoking aids such as patches as well as staff costs. 

The HSE budget for supporting people to quit smoking has almost doubled in ten years to over €20m but the Irish Heart Foundation says €50m is needed.

New HSE data shows a spend of €20.1m last year compared to €11.2m in 2015. This includes subsidising quit smoking aids such as patches as well as staff costs.