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Credit crunch aids smokers' efforts to quit tobacco habit

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Published Date: 11 March 2009
By LYNDSAY MOSS
ALMOST half of smokers in Scotland are considering kicking the habit as the financial crisis continues to bite, research reveals.
A survey to mark No Smoking Day today found that 43 per cent of Scottish smokers were thinking about or planning to cut down or quit due to the economic downturn.

More than one in ten (12 per cent) said they would try to quit today as part of the annual campaign to encourage people to stop smoking.

But another survey found the credit crunch was causing some people to smoke more due to the increased stress they were suffering.

The poll found 4 per cent of Scottish smokers said they were smoking more because of financial pressures.

Duncan Bannatyne, president of No Smoking Day, said: "Everyone is feeling the pinch during the current recession.

"For smokers, who can spend over £2,000 a year on cigarettes, it's particularly tough, so for those who are ready to quit there has never been a better time."



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  • Last Updated: 10 March 2009 9:43 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Tobacco , Recession
 
1

Rollo Tommasi,

11/03/2009 01:56:37
Good luck to everyone trying to quit.
2

DaveA,

Forfarshire 11/03/2009 11:19:27
Rollo, I trust you are well. Surprisingly I will join you in wishing good luck to the people who want to quit. Providing you support my right to smoke, especially on private property with the consent of the owner and the patrons. Normally called a pub.

Quitting smoking to me falls into the category of I would like to win the lottery, I would like to go on a 2 week holiday on a deserted beach or retire today. It ain't gonna happen.

Can I correct Mr Bannatyne on the cost of smoking. Rolling tobacco in Belgium costs £5 for 50g and it lasts me a week. So smoking 20 roll ups a day costs 72p a day or £261 a year. A roll up lasts about 5 minutes and constitutes 608 hours of enjoyment per annum. This works out at £2.33 per hour. Can anyone else offer better value for money? Cheaper than the pub if you drink a pint an hour, cheaper than the cinema, a football match etc

Suffice as to say I have intension to give up.
3

english charlie,

11/03/2009 11:34:05
For drinkers, who can spend over £2,000 a year on alcohol it's particularly tough, so for those who are ready to quit there has never been a better time. Duncan should try a No Drinking day.
4

Rob Simpson,

11/03/2009 12:13:03
Duncan Bannatyne. The man who looked at Africa, saw the war, poverty, disease, famine, crime, lack of facilities and infrastructure and decided it was Africans smoking that was the problem that most needed his attention.
I suppose it was the problem that didn't require him to part with very much of his £300 million.

Anyway, in a few weeks time when we hear how many people have quit today, remember, the NHS stops counting after 4 weeks.

And can someone explain to me why the NHS offers drugs to help people quit rather than a copy of the Allen Carr method (£3.50) which is cheaper and about 5-10 times more effective?
5

Anonym,

11/03/2009 14:50:35
I expect it is because the pharmacuetical companies have influence with government, while Alan Carr's estate does not.

I wouldn't worry about it too much.
6

Anonym,

11/03/2009 14:54:27
Oh sure, Duncan Bannatyne must really be feeling the pinch what with the recession thing going on.

I think the truth is that poorer people aren't even noticing the difference due to being perpetually skint regardless of what the economy is doing.
7

Rollo Tommasi,

11/03/2009 16:05:14
Hi Dave. I’m fine and hope you are too.

Delighted to see that we share a desire that people who want to quit are successful.
Do I agree with your other comments? Well yes, to a point. I am happy to support your right to smoke, provided you do so thoughtfully so people around you don’t have to inhale fumes against their will. But I think it’s fair to say that you’re a pretty considerate guy who would be careful about that anyway.

Must disagree with you about pubs though (are you really surprised?). Pubs aren’t simply private property. In this country we’re not generally allowed to sell alcohol on private premises. If we want to do so, we need to obtain a license. And if we obtain a license, then we need to abide by the conditions of that license. All of them. Including not smoking indoors.
8

Iris Beltram,

11/03/2009 17:01:38
How many smokers were 'surveyed' I wonder. To get a stupid figure like 43% means that every Scottish smoker was asked if they wanted to stop smoking. As it is not known how many Scots smoke this make a laughing stock of any 'survey'
I have 16 Scottish smoking friends who have no intention of stopping smoking. So my survey states that 100% of Scottish smokers have no wish to stop smoking. They just don't wish to go to pubs any more and stay home with friends and drink cheap (or home made) alcohol and enjoy their cigarettes in comfort.
Job sorted !!
9

Alternative (High-Octane) Fuel Head,

Edinburgh 11/03/2009 17:44:40
When are those who keep bleating on about people stopping smoking ever going to stop?

It's got nothing whatsoever to do with them.

#7:

Rollo,

If you don't like the smell of smoke then hold your breath.
10

David from New Mills,

Pleasantville, U.K. 11/03/2009 21:35:38
#8, Iris Beltram.
If the number surveyed were > 16, and anything up to a million, it might be reasonably accurate in reflecting the truth.
11

Rollo Tommasi,

11/03/2009 22:04:55
Fuel Head: If you don't like the sound of the messages about how smoking risks health, then just close your ears.

You've every right to ignore the information and support if you don't want to quit. But you've no right to deny others of the chance to get help to quit if they want to.
12

hughie 2,

Logan city 13/03/2009 06:24:08
Looks like a wee Puff and a wee Dram will get even smaller eh?

 

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