Quit and save cash
FRESH is encouraging smokers across the North East to give quitting a go this summer and have more money in their pockets for the holidays.
Whether you’re planning a trip abroad or are saving for family days out over the summer, quitting smoking will give you instant savings, making it easier to treat yourself and your loved ones.
As well as having extra cash, quitting can bring you more energy and better health throughout the summer and beyond. Smoking also has an ageing effect on the skin, hair and teeth.
An average 20-a-day smoker spends up to £7 a day on a packet of cigarettes. If you quit:
-After one week you could save £49, which could be used to take the family to the beach including rides at the funfair, or a family trip to the movies.
-After two weeks you could save £98, which could be used to buy a new summer outfit or new school uniforms for the kids
-After three weeks you could save £147, which would pay for a family of four to enjoy a day out at a top theme park
-After a month, you could save £210 and could buy tickets for a weekend music festival
-After six months, you could save £1,260 which could pay for Christmas for the family or a New Year break abroad
-After a year, you would save £2,555 which would pay for a family of four to have a trip to Europe, or to redecorate and buy a home cinema
Ailsa Rutter, director of Fresh, said: “The summer holidays are often a time when people feel conscious they are smoking more when the weather’s warmer. But freeing up the money spent on smoking can feel like a pay rise and free up your family budget for so many nicer things.
“If you quit it’s also likely you’ll feel less out of breath and have more energy to get out and about.”
Christine Dryden, manager of Newcastle and North Tyneside NHS Stop Smoking Service, said: “If you’re thinking about quitting this summer, it’s not as hard as you might think.
“Your best chance of success is to visit your local NHS Stop Smoking Service which is staffed by friendly advisors who will work with you to help you through your quit attempt. It’s a great way to improve your chances if you’ve tried before but not succeeded. You’re up to four times more likely to stop successfully with the help of a stop smoking service.
“Just imagine by the end of the summer you could have broken free from smoking with more money to spend and feeling healthier without the worry of when to have your next cigarette.”
For help to quit smoking contact your Local Stop Smoking Service or pop into your local GP surgery or pharmacy to ask for advice on getting your quit attempt underway.