Pay for a family trip to Lapland in 2022 by quitting smoking

Regional organisation Fresh is urging smokers to put quitting on top of their New Year 2022 resolutions for family, better health and for their finances - and has worked out just how much you could save if you do.

An online campaign will offer information and advice to people in the North East and North Cumbria, who can sign up for 24-7 online support with the Smoke Free app, alongside free support already available from Stop Smoking Services in the region.

Organisers hope that money will also motivate people to stop, as a ten-a-day smoker could save more than £1,600-a-year and help offset the rise in the cost of living next year.

Camille Walton quit smoking back in May 2020

Mother-of-two Camille Walton, 39, from Ryhope, quit smoking in May 2020, after her oldest daughter begged her to stop.

She said: “I was a ten-a-day smoker and managed to stop a number of times over the years, but I always started up again. I have two daughters aged 16 and seven and I quit during both pregnancies.

“Before my 30th birthday, I was determined to pass my driving test, so I stopped smoking and used the money I saved to pay for an intensive driving course.

“It was mainly social reasons why I started smoking again, it was a routine.

“My husband doesn’t smoke and my daughters hated it. But the thing that really got me was when I got in from work one day to find my oldest daughter really upset in her room. She had found out at school about the things which can cause cancer and was so worried about losing her mum and I promised her I would stop smoking.

“I promised her then right that’s it – I’m going to quit smoking for good.

“When I finished my last packet of cigarettes that was it.

“I quit cold turkey – I was so determined. It also coincided with the menthol ban coming in. I was a menthol smoker and I just thought what’s the point? If I couldn’t buy them, it made perfect sense to quit.

“I can’t believe how much I used to spend on cigarettes. I’ve saved loads since quitting!

“The way I think of it is – I’m not wasting money on something that could kill me. I can treat the girls and buy nice things for the house.

“Not smoking is my new normal. I’m feeling great. My family are over the moon. Once you start feeling better and seeing all the money you’re saving, it’s a no brainer to keep going.”

Danny Patterson’s dad was diagnosed with cancer

After Danny Patterson’s dad was diagnosed with smoking-related bladder cancer, he knew he had to stop smoking.

But, it was three years before the death of a friend to lung cancer and a return to the UK to look after his mum forced him to reassess what he was doing and take action to quit.

The 30-year-old, from North Shields, said: “When I quit, I was on ten to 15 a day.

“My dad had cancer a few times – bladder cancer. He was first diagnosed three years ago, they said it was because he smoked.

“He had quit ten years before, but the doctor said it was because he had smoked for so long. That was what initially put the idea in my head – I knew I needed to think about stopping.

“I had been living in Thailand for six years, teaching English. A guy I knew died of lung cancer in 2021 and then my mum got sick in the UK and needed a heart operation. I decided to come home to look after her and I thought: when I get back to England, I am going to stop smoking.

“I stopped in August 2021 using nicotine patches from the pharmacy. I made an appointment with the pharmacist, and she did an assessment and recommended nicotine replacement therapy. I have an appointment with her every two weeks, and we talk about how I am doing, and she gives me more patches with a lower dose. I am on the minimum dose now.

“I have wanted to stop for years, and I am so glad I did. My mum was always desperate for me to stop smoking too, especially after my dad’s cancer diagnosis, so she is over the moon.

“I have pretty bad asthma and that is so much better now. I used to have to use my blue inhaler regularly and now I hardly use it. I am also eating healthier and have lost quite a lot of weight – two stone. The stopping smoking was really hard, but I breathe so much better now which has helped. I have also saved loads of money. I am saving up for when my girlfriend comes to visit from Thailand, and we can go on a trip to Europe.”

Ailsa Rutter

Ailsa Rutter, director of Fresh and Balance, said: “Quitting smoking is one of the biggest gifts you can give to your loved ones. Children worry immensely about parents and grandparents smoking – they want them to be around for the important moments in life.

“Every cigarette is damaging your lungs and your health – but every pack smoked is also draining the bank balance. When you add the money up we are talking about thousands. Quitting can give your family finances a boost and pay for some brilliant family experiences in 2022.

“We also know that despite common myths, stress and anxiety reduce when you quit. It can be tough, but millions have now done it and we urge you never to give up on quitting.”

Fresh has worked out just how much a ten-a-day smoker, paying £9 a pack, could save and what they could pay for instead.

1 week's savings of £31 is a trip to the cinema

2 weeks’ savings of around £62 could pay for a family (two adults and two children) trip to see Pinocchio at Northern Stage, the best part of an annual Netflix subscription or an Xbox game.

3 weeks' savings of around £93 would pay for Sunday lunch at your local Toby Carvery for up to five people.

4 weeks’ savings of £124 would buy you 4 months of a superfast broadband package including TV, a ticket for four to Flamingoland or tickets or a family of four to the pantomime.

6 months savings of £821 could buy bikes to get out and about in the Spring and summer, or pay for the average power bill for a 1-2 bedroom house or flat (EDF Energy estimates). Or it could pay for 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.

£1,642 saved in a year could buy a family day trip to Lapland in 2022. It could also more than pay for many families' annual power bill (EDF Energy estimates)

Dr Ruth Sharrock

Dr Ruth Sharrock, respiratory consultant with Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust and Clinical Lead for the North East and North Cumbria Smokefree NHS/Treating Tobacco Dependency Taskforce, said: “If you smoke the single most important thing you can do to improve your health is to stop smoking.

“If you’re quitting the best chance of success is through a local stop smoking service supporting you through and getting the right medication and quitting aids to beat the cravings. But the app can also provide 24/7 support and motivation to have at your side anytime you need it.

“It is never too late to quit smoking - even if you have smoked for years and have tried before. Your lungs and body start to recover from the moment you stop and you reduce the risk of serious diseases like cancer, heart disease, COPD and stroke.”

he start of the pandemic, there was concern for the many smokers who may have struggled to access stop smoking services due to stay-at-home restrictions, and many ex-smokers and younger people were at risk of starting again due to added stress, anxiety and boredom.

Smokers are also at more risk of severe symptoms or being hospitalised with Covid-19, due to years of smoking damaging their lungs and immune system, making it harder to fight infections and respiratory illnesses.

The Smoke Free app has now helped 500,000 people around the world to quit with 24/7 support from expert advisors. It offers daily quit coach support, help on dealing with cravings and a savings calculator to keep you motivated.

How the body recovers after quitting:

After 20 minutes - check your pulse rate, it will already be starting to return to normal

After 8 hours - your oxygen levels are recovering, and the harmful carbon monoxide level in your blood will have reduced by half.

After 48 hours - all carbon monoxide is flushed out. Your lungs are clearing out mucus and your senses of taste and smell are improving

After 72 hours - if you notice that breathing feels easier, it's because your bronchial tubes have started to relax. Also your energy will be increasing.

After 2 to 12 weeks - blood will be pumping through to your heart and muscles much better because your circulation will have improved.

After 3 to 9 months - any coughs, wheezing or breathing problems will be improving as your lung function increases by up to 10 per cent

After 1 year - your risk of heart attack will have halved compared with a smoker'

After 10 years - your risk of death from lung cancer will have halved compared with a smoker's.

For more information visit nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/ or getmesmokefree.com

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