As well as the huge health benefits of quitting smoking there is also a big financial incentive to do so – stopping smoking would save the average UK cigarette smoker £3,288 per year.*
For someone earning the average UK salary, this is effectively the same as receiving a 12.95% pay rise.*
Dan Whittaker, a personal finance expert at VivaMoney.co.uk, shares some key information about Stoptober, and how it could benefit you, your health, and your finances.
For someone earning the average UK salary, this is effectively the same as receiving a 12.95% pay rise.*
Dan Whittaker, a personal finance expert at VivaMoney.co.uk, shares some key information about Stoptober, and how it could benefit you, your health, and your finances.
1. What exactly is Stoptober?
‘Stoptober is a government-backed annual campaign that encourages smokers to quit during the month of October. Smokers are reportedly five times more likely to give up for good once they’ve reached the 28-day smoke-free milestone,’ Dan explains.
2. What are the health benefits of giving up smoking?
‘Did you know that smoking is England’s single biggest cause of preventable illness and death? Breaking any habit can come with its challenges, and getting started may feel daunting, but it’s never too late to make a difference to your health and quality of life.
‘The good news is that it doesn’t take long for ex-smokers to feel the benefits of stubbing out the habit, with 45% stating that they had more energy just two weeks after quitting, and a further 42% noticed an improvement in their breathing.
Dan continues, ‘It doesn’t end there. The NHS website also lists the following positive effects of giving up smoking:
‘The good news is that it doesn’t take long for ex-smokers to feel the benefits of stubbing out the habit, with 45% stating that they had more energy just two weeks after quitting, and a further 42% noticed an improvement in their breathing.
Dan continues, ‘It doesn’t end there. The NHS website also lists the following positive effects of giving up smoking:
- Better blood circulation.
- Improved taste and smell.
- An increase in mental health and wellbeing.
- Brighter skin.
- After 12 months, your risk of having a heart attack halves compared to a smoker’s.
3. How much money could I save?
‘Kicking the habit could save the average smoker £63 per week*, which equates to £3,288 a year.* Go five years without lighting up, and you could be over £16,443* better off. Think of the things you could do with that money instead!’
4. What can I do to distract myself from cravings?
‘Finding a distraction to take your mind off cravings may take time, but it’s important to stick with it until you discover what works best for you. Some popular options include chewing gum, sucking boiled sweets, drinking water, brushing and flossing your teeth, exercising, and crunching on healthy snacks, such as vegetable sticks with hummus. You can also get special nicotine patches and gum, which can usually be bought over the counter at pharmacies. Be sure to consult your doctor and read the label first.
‘In addition to this, it’s well worth having a conversation with your doctor to see if there’s anything else they can suggest to help you ace your goals, such as talking therapy, for example.’
Dan adds, ‘Everyone is different, but the most intense of the nicotine withdrawal symptoms are generally expected to last between two to four weeks. Try not to be hard on yourself if you do suffer a relapse at any point. Tomorrow is a new day and remember that making the decision to quit is something to be proud of. You’ve got this.’
‘In addition to this, it’s well worth having a conversation with your doctor to see if there’s anything else they can suggest to help you ace your goals, such as talking therapy, for example.’
Dan adds, ‘Everyone is different, but the most intense of the nicotine withdrawal symptoms are generally expected to last between two to four weeks. Try not to be hard on yourself if you do suffer a relapse at any point. Tomorrow is a new day and remember that making the decision to quit is something to be proud of. You’ve got this.’
5. How can I navigate triggering situations?
‘Know your trigger points, and do your best to work through them, or avoid them altogether. For example, if you’re someone who usually has a cigarette while drinking and you’re worried about an upcoming function, try to refrain from heading outside with the other smokers and be sure to arm yourself with your most-effective method of distraction, whether that’s chewing gum, or texting a friend.
‘Getting your loved ones onboard with your mission will help to keep you focused, and they can offer encouragement when you need it most.
‘Remind yourself WHY you’re doing this. If your main motivation to quit is for the sake of your children, you could set your phone’s background to a photo of them or carry their picture in your wallet which you can look at whenever you feel as though you might give in to your cravings.’
‘Getting your loved ones onboard with your mission will help to keep you focused, and they can offer encouragement when you need it most.
‘Remind yourself WHY you’re doing this. If your main motivation to quit is for the sake of your children, you could set your phone’s background to a photo of them or carry their picture in your wallet which you can look at whenever you feel as though you might give in to your cravings.’
6. How can I stay motivated once Stoptober has come to an end?
‘We’ve talked about the health benefits of giving up in the short term, now let’s look at the bigger picture,’ Dan says. ‘According to the NHS website, after 10 years of being smoke-free, your risk of dying from lung cancer reduces to half of that of someone who still engages with the habit. After 15 years, your risk of suffering a heart attack falls to the same as somebody who’s never smoked.
‘You may also wish to use money as an incentive to keep going. Why not place the funds you would have spent on cigarettes in a savings account and work towards treating yourself to something nice? This could be anything from a new sofa to a holiday. After all, you’ve definitely earned it!’
‘You may also wish to use money as an incentive to keep going. Why not place the funds you would have spent on cigarettes in a savings account and work towards treating yourself to something nice? This could be anything from a new sofa to a holiday. After all, you’ve definitely earned it!’
7. Where can I find extra support?
‘You don’t have to navigate this journey on your own and can seek advice through your doctor as well as in-person and online groups. Enter your postcode on the NHS website to find your local stop smoking support services in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
‘Check out the free NHS Quit Smoking app to keep track of your progress, access daily support, and watch your savings grow. The NHS website also offers a handy tool – you’ll just need to answer four quick questions to reveal your Personal Quit Plan and the combination of support that may benefit you.’
‘Check out the free NHS Quit Smoking app to keep track of your progress, access daily support, and watch your savings grow. The NHS website also offers a handy tool – you’ll just need to answer four quick questions to reveal your Personal Quit Plan and the combination of support that may benefit you.’
Viva Money has shared some key information about Stoptober, and how it could benefit you, your health, and your finances.
-ENDS-
* Methodology:
The average smoker in Great Britain smokes 10.6 cigarettes per day according to the most recent census data available.
The UK's most popular cigarette brand in 2023 was Benson & Hedges. If purchased in packs of 20 from Tesco (the UK Supermarket with the greatest market share) Benson and Hedges Gold Cigarettes cost 85 pence per cigarette.
Therefore the amount the average UK smoker could save if they stopped smoking entirely is £3,288.65 per year (10.6 x £0.85 x 365) or £63.07 per week (10.6 x £0.85 x 7).
The average UK salary is £34,963 - which would be £28,694.76 after tax (calculated using the UK government Income Tax estimator). Therefore having £3,288.65 extra in disposable income is effectively a 12.95% increase in income.
The average smoker in Great Britain smokes 10.6 cigarettes per day according to the most recent census data available.
The UK's most popular cigarette brand in 2023 was Benson & Hedges. If purchased in packs of 20 from Tesco (the UK Supermarket with the greatest market share) Benson and Hedges Gold Cigarettes cost 85 pence per cigarette.
Therefore the amount the average UK smoker could save if they stopped smoking entirely is £3,288.65 per year (10.6 x £0.85 x 365) or £63.07 per week (10.6 x £0.85 x 7).
The average UK salary is £34,963 - which would be £28,694.76 after tax (calculated using the UK government Income Tax estimator). Therefore having £3,288.65 extra in disposable income is effectively a 12.95% increase in income.
Dan Whittaker - Personal Finance Expert at Viva Money
Dan has worked in the consumer finance sector for over a decade in a number of roles, including developing and maintaining commercial partnerships, marketing, and digital development.
Dan has strong market and product knowledge across a range of consumer finance products including, but not limited to, credit cards, savings, loans, and mortgages.
Dan has worked in the consumer finance sector for over a decade in a number of roles, including developing and maintaining commercial partnerships, marketing, and digital development.
Dan has strong market and product knowledge across a range of consumer finance products including, but not limited to, credit cards, savings, loans, and mortgages.
About VivaMoney.co.uk
VivaMoney.co.uk is not a lender but is a fully regulated and authorised credit broker. Viva Money is a registered Trading Name of Digitonomy Limited, Registered in England and Wales (Company number 08385135), Registered Office; Steam Mill Business Centre, Steam Mill Street, Chester, Cheshire, CH3 5AN. Digitonomy Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and is entered on the Financial Services Register under reference number: 690249. Licenced by the Information Commissioners Office, (registration number ZA007309)
VivaMoney.co.uk is not a lender but is a fully regulated and authorised credit broker. Viva Money is a registered Trading Name of Digitonomy Limited, Registered in England and Wales (Company number 08385135), Registered Office; Steam Mill Business Centre, Steam Mill Street, Chester, Cheshire, CH3 5AN. Digitonomy Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and is entered on the Financial Services Register under reference number: 690249. Licenced by the Information Commissioners Office, (registration number ZA007309)