Quit smoking, save money, have fun

With the money saved from quitting smoking, you could take your family to the movies, shout them a special treat, splash out at the supermarket, or pay a household bill.

That's the message from Maraea Mentor, Smoking Cessation practitioner at Northland DHB.

"If you smoke half a pack of cigarettes a day and quit, in two weeks you could save around $80 dollars. That's enough money to do something special with the family. You could all go out, or you could stock up at the supermarket and have a tasty family meal. Or, you could put the money aside for a bigger item or holiday and watch it grow over the weeks."

Maraea says that smokers often don't realise just how much money they are spending on tobacco, and how that money mounts up over the year.

"Half a pack a day means you're spending about $2000 a year on cigarettes. Imagine what you could do with that money - particularly in a recession when many people have had to cut back on everyday items.

"Quitting smoking could save your health, and it will definitely save you money!'

- Ends -

For further information contact:

Amanda Bradley
Team Leader, Healthy Lifestyles
Phone 09-4304101 ext 3559
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Paula Martin
Communications Advisor
Northland District Health Board 
Phone (09) 430 4101 ext 3321
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