Why quitting cigarettes will fit the bill
Stubbing out saves thousands a year and helps with the cost of living, writes Abby Smith
On World No Tobacco Day on Wednesday (May 31), Quit Tasmania is urging Tasmanians who know they’ll quit one day to “have-a-go now” and boost their bank balance.
All Tasmanians are affected by the rising cost of living, including housing and food costs.
Quitting smoking can provide some relief to cost-of-living pressures by adding more money in your pocket.
If you smoke 20 cigarettes a day, quitting can save you more than $1000 a month, or a staggering $13,000 a year.
This money could be invested back into your rent, mortgage or groceries.
We know about 80 per cent of Tasmanians who smoke want to quit, with most citing health improvements and saving money as their main reasons for wanting to quit.
Following recent federal government announcements, tobacco tax excise is set to increase by 5 per cent for three years in addition to normal indexation, which means the price of tobacco will go up again.
For people smoking roll-yourown tobacco, for the first-time loose-leaf tobacco will be taxed at the same rate as cigarette sticks.
This World No Tobacco Day, we urge you to pencil in a quit date, and “have-a-go”, even if you try staying smoke-free for 24 hours.
You may be surprised at how well you do.
Our experienced Quitline Counsellors suggest setting up a plan before your quit date.
Knowing your triggers is important – for instance, if you experience a craving when you’re having a drink, try going alcoholfree (Dry July is coming up!).
Counsellors recommend taking one day at a time and being kind to yourself.
If you have a slip up, you can start again.
If you live with other people who smoke, you can talk to them about your plans, maybe you can try quitting together.
Quitline Tasmania is here to provide support – whether that’s helping you develop a Quit plan that suits just you and helps you identify your triggers and cope with cravings, or managing any relapse.
Quitline is free, friendly, confidential and non-judgmental.
So what are you waiting for? Give them a call on 13 7848 (13 QUIT), or arrange that they call you at quittas.org.au.
You can also talk to your doctor, pharmacist or other health professional. You need to see your doctor if you want quitting medications or to pay less for things such as nicotine patches.
To see how much money you’ll gain by quitting smoking, visit quittas.org.au for our cost of smoking calculator.