It’s not just the price of a packet of cigarettes that is burning a hole in smokers’ pockets, new research reveals lighting up indoors can drastically affect the value of your house.

The statistics come out of a survey of 823 house-hunters in the region commissioned by Smokefree South West to find out how smoking affects the house-buying process.

It revealed that in Wiltshire 75 per cent of those surveyed would be put off from making an offer on a house where smoking has affected the interior of the property, leading to discoloured walls and smelly carpets. Regionally the figure for the South West was 57per cent.

Of those Wiltshire house-hunters who would offer on a ‘smoking house’, more than four in 10 (42per cent) said they would take more than £10k off the asking price to compensate for work to clear the house of smoking damage, while three in 10 (30per cent) would expect a discount of £5-10,000.

Fiona Andrews, director of Smokefree South West, said: “This new research shows a smokefree home is good for your wealth as well as your health.

“In these hard recessionary times we all want to get the best possible price when selling our homes. The findings of this new research are particularly tough on smokers, showing that in line with the very popular smokefree restaurants, pubs and workplaces, the general public now expect the new homes they buy to smell fresh and clean too.

“However there is some good, practical help at hand on how to not only make your home fully smokefree but keep the value up too.

“Clear evidence has shown that toxic chemicals from second-hand smoke can linger on everything from sofas to carpets and toys, for months after a cigarette has been extinguished.

"Invisible to the naked eye, these toxins can harm the health of families and in particular very young children with their developing immune systems and respiratory organs, as they swallow twice as much household dust as adults.

“Because these poisonous chemicals are smaller than dust particles, just opening a window or standing in the kitchen by an open door isn’t enough. That’s why our South West campaign recommends ‘Smoke Outside’ – meaning right outside.

“Our practical ‘Smoke Outside’ pack can be ordered at www.smokeoutside.co.uk and is full of great tips to help make your home smokefree. Not only will this improve the health of the whole family, but it could mean you strike a better deal when attempting to sell your property.”

Smokefree South West, which campaigns to reduce smoking rates in the region, is urging smokers across the South West to smoke outside their homes.

A free Smoke Outside information pack is available at www.smokeoutside.co.uk Information about local NHS stop smoking services and the benefits of quitting can be found at www.smokefreesouthwest.org.uk/stop-smoking