If you thought your smoking habit was already expensive, new figures have revealed how some smokers may have paid even more than they were bargaining for when they reached for their pack of smokes on a night out.

Over 14,000 people have been fined for smoking in public places since September 2013, indicating just how many fines have been given out over the last six years to smokers.

Malta banned smoking in ‘public places’ – places like bars, restaurants and nightclubs, among others – back in 2013. Then, in 2017, Malta started issuing fines for drivers caught smoking with a child in their car.

Smokers found lighting up where they are not supposed to are fined €233. Assuming that each of these 14,000 was fined at least once each, that’s a cool €3.25 million sent to the country’s coffers – if the fines were actually paid, of course.

The new figure was given in response to a parliamentary question for the Home Affairs Minister Michael Farrugia.

Interestingly, in 2017 and 2018 alone, over 7,000 people were fined for their smoking habit.

The least amount of fines were given out in 2015, with the most being issues in 2017.

With the insane health risks associated with smoking cigarettes, and the opportunity to be fined popping up more and more, you should probably think twice before you light up next time – especially if you are in a club.

Tag a smoker who is going to hate this.