Save a packet by quitting smoking

May 1, 2012 - PRLog -- Whether or not we’re technically in a recession or simply suffering an economic downturn, the fact is most of us are much worse off than we were a few years ago.

The price of everything including food and fuel is rising, salaries are pinned and the economy isn’t showing signs of turning the corner, yet every year millions of people happily let thousands of pounds go up in smoke.

Not only that, but the nature of this waste is also killing them because they are smokers.

We all know that smoking kills, blights the lives of those who are hooked and damages children in households where they are subjected to passive smoking. Even if you are not a smoker every time you ingest cigarette smoke you are breathing in nicotine, tar and carbon monoxide.

Around 100,000 people in the UK die of smoking-related illnesses every year including cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart disease.  And yet the smokers continue to limit their life span; perhaps there is another way than the health arguments to convince the addicted to give up.

Since the Budget the average price of a packet of 20 cigarettes is £7.46 so someone smoking 60 a week is wasting a staggering £1,163.76 a year. If you are a smoker and the nicotine doesn’t make you choke that figure should. Give up smoking and you’ll save a packet as well as prolonging your life.

We’ve all read those newspaper stories about how many heart transplants, hip operations and nurses’ salaries could be paid for by the costs of smoking to the NHS but a closer look at the figures might prove even more inspirational to those who smoke.

That £1,163.76 could comfortably cover the annual membership of the most luxurious of health clubs and help to undo all those years of damage caused by smoking. If you would rather watch sport sink your money into a season ticket at Chelsea or any other football club (obviously you’ll get more tickets the further down the league table you go). For the fashionistas out there it is worth considering that those must-have Jimmy Choo Marlene feather and suede heels you have been coveting could be yours with change to spare for a new bag too.

In an effort to discourage children from starting to smoke the Government has banned larger shops from displaying cigarettes. It is also consulting on plans to force tobacco manufacturers to produce cigarettes in plain packets to encourage more people to stop smoking.
If the case for quitting seems clearer to you now and you want advice about giving up smoking, contact Essex NHS Stop Smoking.  The experts have many ways to help and support you and will advise which is best for you.

At the end of the day whether you are convinced by the health arguments or the savings you will make, it all adds up to common sense.

Visit : http://www.essexhealth.co.uk/healthy-lifestyle/smoking/