Quitting Smoking

Quitting Smoking

Next month will feature the British Heart Foundation’s annual no smoking day. This follows on nicely from the item last week that looked at the move to ban smoking in cars when children were passengers.  A lot of people find that the efforts they have made to quit smoking have been hijacked by the fact that they have felt a real sense of loss when they have given up the cigarettes that have been part of their lives for so long.  I know I did when I gave up ten years ago.  But giving up smoking doesn’t have to be about losing something – it can be very much about getting something back too.

At the moment a pack of twenty cigarettes averages about eight pounds.  That equates to an extra fifty-six pounds a week for a twenty a day smoker who has given up.  You might also be surprised to learn that as well as life insurance being cheaper for non-smokers; car and home insurance will also be less. 

If the health benefits have failed to persuade you maybe the hard cash gains will. 

For a twenty a day smoker after quitting for just one day, they would have enough to rent a movie or buy some magazines.  In one week they would have enough for a  DVD box set, a beauty treatment, a paintballing day or even a day out at the races.

In one month the smoker who has given up will really be quids in and be able to have a real shopping spree, buy some football tickets to a premier game or even have a day out rally driving.

In three months you are in holiday territory with two weeks away from it all in the sun, some new jewellery, a new laptop or the very latest flat screen TV.

Six months after quitting you will be able to pay for a season ticket to the footie, take the whole family away somewhere nice on holiday or buy a top of the range bike.

After a year you will be really feeling the benefit, as the money you have saved would buy you new luxury leather furniture, a new kitchen, some designer bling or even a car.

Looked at like that it does seem tempting right?  So why don't you start planning for next month now and pick a day to quit.  You will be very glad you did when you are driving that new car off the forecourt next year!  

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Amanda Thomas

UK Health Radio