Walsall residents can stop their cash going up in smoke before Christmas

Walsall residents who smoke 20 cigarettes a day could save £81.72 by Christmas if they quit now, Walsall Teaching Primary Care Trust (Walsall tPCT) announced today. That’s the equivalent of three DVD players, six DVD’s, ten CD’s, five Bratz Dolls, two playstation games or a romantic night in a Premier Inn hotel. According to a ‘smoker’s annual bill’ available on www.givingupsmoking.co.uk the average 20 a day smoker may also expect to spend a further £670 a year on smoking related expenses.

Sam  Ramaiah, Director of Public Health for Walsall tPCT, said: “Smoking does not only affect people’s health it also has a huge impact on their finances. On top of the cost of cigarettes smokers spend more money on hygiene, household and personal finance costs as a result of smoking. This is as good a time as any to quit smoking with the festive season and New Year resolutions coming up.”

Walsall residents can find out how much they could save by logging onto www.givingupsmoking.co.uk and accessing the ‘essential resources/useful tools’ section. 

Walsall Stop Smoking Services offer help and support to anyone who is considering stopping. One to one and group support are available at various times and locations throughout Walsall. From January 2007 there will be drop in sessions held every Saturday from 10 am till 12noon at St Paul’s the Crossing in Walsall. 

For more information on how to quit smoking call 0800 169 9346