Recession Hitting Smokers Harder Than Most

An ongoing study conducted by the Director of Tobacco Studies at the Cancer Research Behaviour Research Centre reveals the rate at which individuals were attempting to quit smoking slowed down when the recession hit the UK economy.

According to the research prior to the recession around 32% of smokers stated they had tried to quit smoking within the past three months. By the same time in 2008 this figure had plummeted to 23% in 2008 and 22% for 2009.

Professor West, director of the study said:

“Obviously we can only guess at a link, but we know that when people are under stress and have bad things going on in their lives they shorten their horizons and focus on getting through, day-to-day. They don’t have the mental energy to focus on doing things that are hard, like quitting smoking.”

When you look at it from a financial perspective a 20-a-day habit would result in the smoker spending over £2,500 on cigarettes a year, has there been a better time to quit?

A spokesperson from the Department of Health said:

“Smoking remains the single biggest cause of premature death in England and action to tackle smoking is a priority for the government.”

There are so many benefits quitting smoking, not just the everyday health benefits but the financial savings and the long-term lifestyle benefits you can expect. In addition to the everyday savings you can expect to make simply by not buying cigarettes there are a vast array of secondary effects in lower premiums for any health or protection insurance plans you hold.

Changing smoker status from smoker to non-smoker on a health or protection insurance policy could see your premiums drop by up to 25%, add this up over a 15 or 20 year term on a policy and the savings are quite astounding.

If you are a smoker determined to quit there is an abundance of free support, your first port of call should the NHS – Quit Smoking website for more information.