Quit smoking and save £2,000

Every year more than one million people choose to give up cigarettes on No Smoking Day and according to the No Smoking Day Charity, over 20 per cent of those that give up have managed to stay smoke-free more than four weeks later.

The charity also states that 70 per cent of adults who smoke want to quit.

Two of the main benefits to giving up smoking are health and surplus wealth. No Smoking Day Charity statistics say that people who smoke 20 a day could save £2,111 a year.

Ben Forteath, a 22 year-old sports science student, who quit smoking in 2008 on the last No Smoking Day, says: “I picked No Smoking Day to give up as I wanted to be part of a national movement. Me and a couple of my mates did it together, we smoked our last cigarettes at 11.55pm the day before, it marked the end of an era.

“I found it hard to give up, and I still have the odd cigarette when I’ve been drinking. But with the support of my friends, family and patches I’ve really changed my life. I now have a lot more money too as I used to smoke between 15-20 a day. And I’m much healthier too and don’t get so tired when I’m playing rugby.”

Smoking from Journalism students on Vimeo.

Giving up

Phil Cork a 23-year-old barman who smokes around 15-20 cigarettes a day has decided to quit on Wednesday. Phil said: “I know it’s going to be hard, but I just can’t afford to keep smoking - in terms of both money and my health. I’ve been quite unwell recently and have an awful smoker’s cough so I just think it’s about time I give up.

“Me and my girlfriend are planning on doing it together which should make it easier, I’ll be really disappointed in myself if I can’t stop”.

The charity’s theme for this year is ‘take the first step’. It is about making “a lifelong change”, and reminding smokers that they need to be committed if they want to stop.

By Alexandra Murphy