In Ukraine, a pack of 20 cigarettes will only set you back roughly £1.70.

Despite a recently proposed smoking ban, it’s been revealed the UK government has been providing cigarettes to Ukrainian troops training in the country.

Under a scheme with the Ministry of Defence, Ukrainian soldiers undergoing training in the UK are given duty-free tobacco as part of their rations.

It came after soldiers reportedly complained about the high prices of cigarettes in the UK – which average around an eyewatering £15 per pack.

In Ukraine, a pack of 20 cigarettes will only set you back roughly £1.70.

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It’s said the move has helped Ukrainian soldiers focus, with the lack of cigarettes posing a ‘risk to morale’.

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A source, familiar with the deal, told the Telegraph: ‘It is fair to say that smoking is going to be less of a threat to these brave soldiers’ lives than fighting Putin’s illegal invasion of their country.’

  • geophysicistEnglish
    121·
    2 months ago

    The key sentence being:

    A source, familiar with the deal, told the Telegraph: ‘It is fair to say that smoking is going to be less of a threat to these brave soldiers’ lives than fighting Putin’s illegal invasion of their country.’

    • thehatfox@lemmy.worldEnglish
      4·
      2 months ago

      It’s also worth noting that smoking is more prevalent in Ukraine compared to countries like the UK. The smoking rate in Ukraine is 25%, and 40% amongst males, compared to 15% and 17% in the UK.