Smoking : It's Expensive

Some of my closest buddies are chain smokers and together, they burn down a huge number of packs every day. I used to be an active volunteer for Anti-Addiction Forum during my college days. However, I feel too bad when I realize that I haven't worked towards a smokefree environment in a very long time. These days, when I walk the street, I see a lot many people smoking off. I know some of my readers do smoke, and may be this post would initiate a thought in their minds - 'to call it quits'.

How much do you think you have spent on cigarettes in the past and how much can you really afford to spend on them in the future? It’s easy mathematics, just calculate on average how much your daily spending on cigarettes is, and multiply that by 365 to know approximately how much you spend on smoking per year.

If you plan to continue smoking, then multiply the number you calculate from above by ten and see how much you will have spent on cigarettes ten years from now. This number doesn’t even take into consideration the rising costs of inflation or increase in any other factor as such. The real amount would be much higher. This is just to give you a general idea on how much you can end up spending on smoking.

Let me share with you something I learned a couple of years ago, when you buy something whatever it may be, say a T.V for instance, apart from the direct cost of the T.V it comes with numerous other hidden expenses. For one thing you have to buy and fix an antenna to pick up the local channels and pay for DTH, Dish or Cable to receive other Channels.

It's your T.V and it's now costing you XXX. Now, you decide to add a DVD player to your T.V, surround sound, DVD / CD costs, maintenance and soon you start to get a notable bill from that single T.V. Never thought about that .... hmm?

Smoking is no different, only here you end up spending your money on cigarettes that ruin your health, this means more visits to doctors, a higher medical expense. If you continue smoking, the money you spend on treatment becomes useless, because it’s getting you no where and the expenses keep rising as the ailments increase. Apart from that think about the money you’ve spent on lighters and ashtrays. What about the money you spent replacing things that got burnt by smoking cigarettes? That fine Louie Philippe which got a hole in it ....?

When you smoke, it affects not just you. Secondhand smoke comes from the tip of a cigarette and the smoke that is breathed back out by the smoker. Wherever people smoke, there is secondhand smoke in the air although you might not notice it because it is almost invisible and odourless. Even if you open a window, secondhand smoke will still be present in a room after two and a half hours! Even if you can't see or smell any smoke, it's probably still there. Smoking in a car is even worse because all of the smoke is concentrated into a small space.

Children are particularly affected by secondhand smoke because their bodies are still developing, and most of the children are growing up in homes where at least one parent is a smoker.

Going smokefree isn't easy, but when you see the drastic improvements to your life and health, you'll want to set your action plan going as quickly as you can.

How will your health benefit?

• You will reduce your risk of developing illness, disability or death caused by cancer, heart or lung disease.
• You will reduce your risk of gangrene or amputation caused by circulatory problems.
• You will protect the health of those around you by not exposing them to secondhand smoke.
• You will reduce the chances of your children suffering from asthma or glue ear.
• You will improve your fertility levels and your chance of a healthy pregnancy and baby.
• You will improve your breathing and general fitness. 
• You will enjoy the taste of food more.

How will your lifestyle improve?

• You will save money - as much as several hundreds a month, if you're a heavy smoker.
• You will no longer smell of stale tobacco, you wouldn't need to use a mouth freshener.
• The appearance of your skin and teeth will improve.
• You will feel more confident in social situations - you won't be worrying about the secondhand smoke you create anymore.
• As a non-smoker, you may even find you get approached more often by potential new friends when out socialising.
• Your home will smell fresh and you will no longer be staining your walls with nicotine.
• You will reduce the risk of fire in your home.

Smoking is unattractive and costs you loads of money. Just imagine yourself being smokefree. Feeling great and having that extra money in your pocket! Think it’s a good time to quit smoking?