None
EN
‘Heavy smoker’ dies on holiday after quitting cigarettes caused a toxic reaction
['Charlotte Albutt']
Worcester News | News
Jack Burton, from Worcester, died just days after he quit smoking on holiday in Scarborough on October 7, 2025.
The 29-year-old was taking clozapine – an antipsychotic medication prescribed by his community psychiatrist – for his paranoid schizophrenia.
READ MORE: Calls for Ignite Health and Care 'accountability' after inquestMr Burton was regularly advised that stopping smoking would increase clozapine levels in his blood.
Post-mortem and toxicology tests found he died from clozapine toxicity – the likely cause being that his decision to stop smoking led to a fatal rise in the drug in his system.
"We have reviewed our smoking cessation and clozapine monitoring policies and developed an action plan to ensure greater consistency across our services.