Reasons To Quit Smoking #2: Finances

Smoking could cost you your life – but most smokers know that, nowadays. So is there anything else your cigarette habit could end up “costing” you? Well, for a habit, smoking is extremely expernsive – and perhaps in ways you hadn’t even imagined.

The most obvious cost of smoking is the purchase price of cigarettes and associated items such as lighters or matches. There is no way to smoke “on the cheap” – it’s expensive, and Governments have cottoned on to the fact that smokers will continue their habit even if the cost keeps rising. The end result? Cigarettes and tobacco are a prime target for any tax hike, and what’s more, a government can claim they’re doing it for “health” rather than economic reasons. This essentially means the tax on smoking will never be lowered by a new administration; no elected representative wants to be seen to be encouraging smoking, so the price is here to stay.

It is worth sitting down and calculating how much buying cigarettes costs you. The math is simple: how many packets do you smoke a day, and how much does that cost? Let’s say you smoke one packet a day, with the packet costing (for ease of understanding) $10. So, for example:

$10 x 7 = $70 – Your Weekly Cigarette Bill

$70 x 4 = $280 – Your Monthly Cigarette Bill

$280 x 12 = $3, 360 – Your YEARLY Cigarette Bill

Scary, isn’t it? Well, it can get worse. Say you earn an average wage of $25,000. That means -

13.5% of your total income is spent on cigarettes.

Do these figures for yourself, and when you have your final number, try and think about it. Using the above example – what could you spend $3, 360 on? That’s a weekend away at a nice hotel, new furniture or even a plane ticket abroad.

So that’s the obvious financial cost of smoking, but it’s important to remember the hidden costs. The biggest hidden cost of smoking is in terms of insurance, both health and life.

No insurance company wants to insure smokers; some insurance companies will flat refuse to insure smokers. So you’ve already narrowed your field when it comes to getting a good deal. Even if you do manage to find a provider for health or life insurance, you will pay a significantly higher premium than you would if you were a non-smoker. The difference can sometimes be as high as 30% more. So that’s another several hundred dollars per year that your smoking habit could cost you financially.

Here’s a quick list of other things smoking financially effects:

• Your furniture and decorations. Nicotine turns items a horrible shade of yellow; if you smoke indoors, you will need to replace soft furnishings frequently and furniture every couple of years. Nothing can escape that yellow colour, and it looks disgusting.
• If you have home, contents or disaster insurance, you may be charged a higher premium for being a smoker. The reason? People drop cigarettes or fall asleep while smoking, increasing the likelihood of a fire. What’s worse, if you do not tell your insurer you smoke and then you do have a fire (even if it is not smoking related), your claim will be invalid.

It is not unreasonable to think that just a moderate smoking habit can end up costing the smoker in excess of $7000 per year.

So… is it really worth it?

Stop Smoking Methods: Nasal Sprays

Everyone knows about the most common forms of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT); the things designed to help an active smoker become an ex smoker. Yet these methods are fallible, and you may have tried them before – so are there other alternatives? The answer is yes, and by far the most effective is the Nasal Spray…

What Is It?

A nicotine nasal spray is exactly what it sounds like: a spray containing nicotine. The spray is used on an as-needed basis, when smokers feel a craving for a cigarette.

How Does They Work?

The liquid spray usually comes in the same kind of canister one would normally associate with cold and ‘flu products. The spray contains an active ingredient of nicotine, which is the addictive chemical found in cigarettes. The plastic cannister is inserted into one nostril, and the spray is then “sprayed” in by depressing some part of the cannister. This releases the nicotine into the nose while the user sniffs. The nicotine is then absorbed into the lining of the nose, and eventually the blood stream.

Does It Work?

Indeed it does – the nasal spray is one of the most effective methods of NRT, though one of the least well known. The success rate has been as high as 80% in some studies. This is largely attributed to the fact that the nasal spray, unlike gum or patches, induces the feeling of a nicotine “hit” in the user. This “hit” is a sudden burst of nicotine into the blood stream, which is usually found when smoking a cigarette. Users find this satisfies cravings in the same way a cigarette would.

Do It Have Any Side Effects?

One of the reasons the nasal spray is not as heard of as other forms of NRT is due to its side effects. While not extreme, the effects are more noticeable in a large percentage of users than with patches or gum. The main side effects is a sore nose, as the interior lining of the nasal passages is regularly subjected to pure nicotine. This creates hayfever-like symptoms of sneezing and a running nose in some, though not all, users.

Though inserted into the nostril, the spray can also produce a “taste” which users find distinctly unpleasant.

Good Points?

The nasal spray is almost unique to nicotine replacement therapy in that it generates a “hit” of nicotine, a feeling akin to smoking a cigarette – this is its overwhelming plus point. The spray also encourages people to rely on willpower for the time they are not using the spray, and it is therefore easier to decrease the amount of sprays used – and therefore end an overall reliance on nicotine. The “as and when” method does not suit all, but is particularly useful for smokers who get cravings only at particular points in the day – such as after eating, or first thing in the morning.

Bad Points?

The effects of one burst of spray last between 15 and 20 minutes, which is roughly the same as a cigarette. After that, users feel completely “normal” again, unlike the slow-release nicotine therapies of gum or patches. This is very much a type of NRT that appeals only to some rather than all smokers, as cravings can be more severe in between sprays – though the spray is more satisfying than gym or patches.

Is It Good For Light or Heavy Smokers?

The nasal spray is particularly good for heavy smokers who miss that nicotine “rush” type feeling. Light smokers may find the side effects an unfair exchange.

RATING: * * * * *

Stop Smoking Aids: Nicotine Patches

Quitting smoking is difficult; that’s a given, and the success rate for those quitting “cold turkey” is low. One of the best ways to ensures you will be able to quit smoking is to lessen your chances of succumbing to nicotine cravings, and that means finding a new way of getting nicotine into your system – without smoking. This is called Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), and here we examine one of the best methods: Nicotine Patches…

What Are They?

Nicotine patches are small, sticky, often flesh-coloured or see-through patches which are applied directly to the skin. These patches release small amounts of nicotine – the addictive chemical in cigarettes – into the blood stream. Each patch lasts for between 12 to 24 hours depending on strength.

How Does They Work?

The release of nicotine is slow and steady, which should reduce cravings. By keeping the nicotine level in your blood stream at a moderate rate, this should reduce your need to smoke. Like many other forms of NRT, patches do not provide a “hit” of nicotine as one would experience with a cigarette, but more rely on a steady release of the chemical. This is nevertheless effective.

Do They Work?

Yes. Many physicians endorse nicotine patches as the most effective method of NRT, and studies place the success rate at around 50 – 70%. All methods of NRT still require willpower – they cannot be solely stop you smoking – but patches will definitely provide an effective aid.

Do They Have Any Side Effects?

Some users (around 20%) report skin problems as a result of using nicotine patches, namely itching or other forms of irritation. This is because the chemical is being applied directly to the skin, and this can cause discomfort. The best way to ensure against this is to constantly rotate the position of your patches; never replace a used patch with a new one in the same area. The arms, back, shoulders and clavicle are ideal positions – rotate between these and you should not experience any problems.

Some may also experience headaches with nicotine patches if they have selected a dose that is too strong. If this happens to you, choose a milder patch. If you are already using the mildest patches, cut the patch horizontally in half and use one section at a time. This should eliminate the problem.

Good Points?

The biggest advantage to nicotine patches is their success rate. They are also not noticeable, and can be hidden under clothing – so no one need know you are quitting unless you reveal it to them. The patches are also cost effective, and can be got on prescription. One should also consider that patches offer a continual, steady release of nicotine – unlike gum, they can be used at night, so if you have problems with cravings first thing in the morning, nicotine patches are ideal.

Bad Points?

The skin irritation is the major downside to nicotine patches, but this can be eliminated as mentioned above. Some users also find the patches are not quite “sticky” enough and come loose. To prevent them, place the patches away from joints on flat, smooth areas of skin – such as the back. For extra security, you can apply sticking plasters are the edges of the patch itself.

Is It Good For Light or Heavy Smokers?

For heavy smokers particularly, nicotine patches are the most efficient form of NRT. All smokers can use patches; just be sure to consult the box and labels to get the right dosage.

RATING: * * * * *

Stop Smoking Aids: Medicated Nicotine Gum

There are many ways and means of quitting smoking, but perhaps the most recognised is a course of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT). NRT allows the quitting smoker to get their nicotine “fix” without smoking cigarettes. There are various methods of NRT, and we examine them in this series. The first is probably the most well known method of nicotine replacement therapy: Nicotine Gum…

What Is It?

Usually coming in packets of 30 or more, nicotine gum resembles physically a normal tab of gum. However, the difference is in the ingredients. Nicotine gum releases a small amount of the addictive chemical, nicotine, into the blood stream when chewed. The theory is that by replacing the nicotine usually gained from cigarettes, smokers will be able to quit.

How Does It Work?

The active ingredient, nicotine, is released when the gum is chewed. This is then absorbed through the mouth and tongue lining, and then enters the blood stream. Smokers will not feel the discernable “hit” of nicotine as found with a cigarette, but the idea is to reduce cravings by establishing an existing amount of the chemical in the blood. For a longer lasting effect, place the gum in the side or on the roof of your mouth for half an hour, chew every few minutes and then replace it. This will increase the longevity of the nicotine release.

Does it Work?

Gum is one of the most effective methods of NRT, and studies put its efficacy at around 40-60%. That means that out of 100 smokers who use nicotine gum, 40 – 60 people will successfuly kick the habit. This compares with a 15% success rate for smokers who quit “cold turkey”.

Does It Have Any Side Effects?

There are no definitive side effects for nicotine gum, but some users may get a sore mouth if they chew a lot of gum. The nicotine is quite potent, so it’s wise to wash your mouth out thoroughly after chewing a tab, and to space the time you use the gum. A tab every two to three hours is ideal.

Good Points?

The best thing about nicotine gum is its availability; as one of the most recognisable NRT aids, it tends to be freely available wherever you would usually buy cigarettes. It is also effective, with a success rate that few other forms of NRT can boast. And cost wise, 30 sticks of gum are equivalent (or less if bought in bulk) than a 20 pack of cigarettes.

Bad Points?

The aforementioned sore mouth can be a problem for some users, but is easily eliminated. The main complaint is of the taste of the gum. While some manufacturers attempt to hide the unpleasant taste of nicotine with mint or fruit flavours, this is not particularly effective. However, many users report that while they did not like the taste initially, after continued use they became used to it – some even saying they came to enjoy it.

Is It Good For Light or Heavy Smokers?

All smokers can use nicotine gum, though it experiences its best success rates with light smokers. The gum usually comes in different strengths, so you can select which is apposite for the amount of cigarettes you used to smoke.

RATING: * * * * *

Reasons To Quit Smoking #1: Smoking Bans

Smoking bans: smokers thought it’d never happen… but it did. First the US, then Ireland, then the UK. France, for awhile, remained a stronghold – after all, surely no one would try and stop the French from smoking? That’s akin to stopping the Irish from drinking, surely? Then, France announced a ban, and smokers had to admit: it had happened.

Most countries in the world have now taken the controversial step to ban smoking, at least in public places. While smokers cry out for their libertarian rights, many a non-smoker are now free to breathe clean and fresh air, and with it they are breathing sighs of relief. Most smokers have remained stubborn – since the ban on smoking, fewer than expected smokers have given up the habit – but if you are considering given up smoking, the bans are worth taking note of.

The scenario is simple. You’re enjoying a nice evening out with friends. You’ve had a pleasant glass of wine, some good food and the company is exemplary. Then… what happens? Well, as any smoker will know, the itch and desire for a cigarette soon becomes overwhelming. Yet with the nationwide application of smoking bans, you can’t stay tucked up in your seat and light up – you’ve got to go outside.

In summer, this is acceptable – perhaps even preferable. Yet what about when winter rolls around? Suddenly, you leave a comfortable atmosphere in an eatery and venture out into the frost-bitten outside world. There, you can fiddle around with a lighter which is stubbornly objecting to being used in the wind. When you finally get your cigarette lit, you will have to stand and shiver right down to the last blasts of your precious nicotine. If it’s raining, you get wet. If it’s snowing, you get cold and wet. It’s miserable, and what’s more, you will have disturbed the natural flow of conversation around the dining table – and all for a cigarette. Is it really worth it?

Ban smoking, countries realised, and you take away one of the more pleasant aspects of the habit: socialising. While it may not be fair that smokers are now relegated outside like cattle, it is nevertheless in the interest of the non-smokers who want to enjoy an evening out without having to breathe smoke. You may have chosen your habit, but these bystanders did not.

No matter the rights or wrong of the matter – or how it effects your social life – smoking bans are here to stay. No country can live without the tax from cigarettes, it’s true, but no Government is going to reverse a smoking ban. The bans on smoking aren’t going to change, and that means a crucial aspect of the enjoyment of smoking is going to be denied to you forevermore.

You may have happily crusaded against smoking bans, and done your time outside of restaurants and bars and pretended it doesn’t bother you. But the truth is, no smoker enjoys being forced to go and stand outside for the sake of their habit. If you quit smoking now, you will kiss goodbye to nights outside in the cold and feeling like a social outcast.

Quitting smoking because of the bans will never be a primary reason for kicking the habit, but it is worth considering. Your evenings’ out will be much more pleasant once the habit is dismissed from your routine, and you can focus on enjoying yourself rather than worrying about the outside air temperature.

If you ban smoking from your life, you will soon reap the benefits in ways you may not even have considered before.