Quit Smoking, save big and ease your anxiety
With the summer holidays now underway, Fresh is highlighting how much money can be saved from quitting smoking around the year – with a bonus of easing stress and anxiety.
People across the North East who quit smoking can save hundreds – even thousands – of pounds each year. That’s money that could go towards household essentials, a holiday, a new car, or treats for you and your family.
Research by the Mental Health Foundation has also found that money worries are the most common cause of anxiety in the UK.
For a 10-a-day smoker, quitting means saving around:
- £100 in two weeks – a summer day out or a family food shop
- £182 in a month – a night away
- Over £1000 in six months – enough for a season ticket or a new wardrobe
- Over £2100 in a year – towards your family holiday next year, your gas and electricity bill
- £10,500 in five years – enough to put towards a new car
Fresh’s Smokefree Savings calculator on the FreshQuit website is a handy and helpful tool to show exactly how much you could save by quitting.
Ailsa Rutter OBE, Director of Fresh and Balance, said: “Smoking is an addiction which puts a massive drain on the finances of many families across the North East. That money is going into the hands of multi-million pound tobacco companies who don’t spare a thought whether their customers end up with cancer or heart disease.
“Day by day, and year by year these costs mount up. But it is never too late to quit and feel all the benefits.
“Quitting smoking can feel like an instant pay rise. The extra money and better health can bring a massive boost to your peace of mind but also means you can enjoy a few luxuries for you and the family.”
Many former smokers have shared inspiring stories about how quitting gave them the financial freedom to enjoy more family time, holidays, or personal rewards.
Frankie Alexander from Stanley, County Durham has saved over £7,000 since quitting smoking – money he’s putting towards a new car.
Frankie said “Since I quit smoking, the difference to my money has been massive. I was spending up to £100 a week on cigarettes without even really thinking about it – it just added up. Now that money’s staying in my savings tin and I’m putting it aside each week. I’ve already saved thousands of pounds and I’m well on my way to buying a car.
“It feels great to know I’m working towards something that’ll really improve my life instead of burning money on something that was damaging my health.”
Rachael Morley, 42, a mum of three from Hartlepool recently stopped smoking.
She said “The health benefits are unreaI. I can actually take my children on their first family holiday with spending money. The amount of money you save when you stop smoking is absolutely amazing. No more counting the pennies to see where you can go and if you can afford to go.”
John Stephenson, 49, from Stockton who suffered a sudden heart attack at the age of just 48 from smoking, said:
“In the first year after quitting smoking, I saved every penny that I would have spent on cigarettes. After the year we counted it up and were shocked to see that we had saved enough for a holiday – 10 days, all-inclusive in Tunisia for me and my wife. It’s been two and a half years now and I still save what I would have spent though perhaps not as strictly. The savings are used for treats such as weekends away or little extras that I previously wouldn’t have afforded. I can’t imagine now what I would’ve saved if I hadn’t smoked for 30 years – probably a mortgage.”
For tips, tools and local support to quit smoking visit https://www.freshquit.co.uk/