THIS Christmas smokers in Warrington are being encouraged to celebrate by quitting with help from the town’s stop smoking service.
They could treat themselves and their loved ones to an extra special gift as they improve their health and save money.
Free support and advice from LiveWire’s lifestyles team comes as many will be feeling the pinch of Christmas this year, with some already seeing how they could free up money in the run up to next Christmas.
On average, a pack-a-day smoker will save around £250 each month and can save up to £3,000 a year by going smoke free. Savings could pay for an extra special Christmas in 2017, or help weekly budgets stretch further.
What’s more, residents choosing to stop smoking can expect to feel the health benefits immediately with breathing becoming easier and energy levels increasing after just 72 hours.
Research shows that smokers are four times more likely to stop with specialist NHS support. The LiveWire stop smoking service offers free support face-to-face, online and over the phone.
Paul Roberto, senior LiveWire advisor for stop smoking, said: “There has never been a better time to quit. Research shows that two thirds of smokers want to quit and LiveWire can support you to achieve this through friendly, expert advice and support. It doesn’t matter if you have visited us before but it didn’t quite work out, you can access support as many times as you need.
“You don’t need to go through your quit journey alone. As well as support from LiveWire you can join together with friends, family and colleagues to support each other through your quit attempt.”
Around 14% of Warrington residents smoke, and the more people that quit, the healthier local communities become and savings could boost the local economy.
Cllr Maureen McLaughlin, executive board member for public health and wellbeing, said: “Addiction to tobacco puts poorer families under significant financial pressure. Tackling tobacco to put children off starting smoking and helping people quit not only saves lives but also puts money back into the pockets of the poorest households in our communities”
Contact LiveWire’s stop smoking service for free support and advice today on 0300 003 0818.
Smoking costs
People who smoke 15 cigarettes a day could save:
- £47 a week – which could pay for a Star Wars Remote Control BB-8 toy and a DVD.
- £205 a month – the cost of a PlayStation4 games console.
- £616 over three months – the equivalent of travel and a one-night stay for a family of four to London with a visit to the Harry Potter studio, plus an evening meal out.
- £1,233 in six months – a four-night holiday for a family of four to Disneyland Paris next Christmas.
- £2,467 in one year – which would cover the cost of a family day trip (2 adults and 2 children) to meet Santa Claus in Lapland plus a husky and reindeer ride for Christmas 2017.
