Smokers spending thousands over a lifetime
(06 March 2006)

Further proof of the startling amount that Brits spend on everyday products has come to light in the form of figures relating to the staggering sums spent on cigarettes over smokers' lifetimes.

Clerical Medical's survey showed that a typical smoker in the UK spends £92,000 on cigarettes over the course of his or her life – equating to 18,665 packets and some 373,302 cigarettes.

This breaks down to a figure of £1,500 per year and 303 packets of cigarettes.

Clerical Medical's John Hiew said: "We all know about the health problems associated with smoking but we wanted to find about out the wealth implications associated with the habit.

"It's a staggering amount of money British smokers spend whichever way you look at it, and that's a hell of a lot of disposable income just going up in smoke. If people were to consider putting the money they spend each month on cigarettes into a savings plan not only would they probably live longer, but they could have an extra income of thousands of pounds a year."

Whether you're a dyed-in-the-wool smoker, are trying to give up or have never touched a cigarette in your life, these statistics add to other recent studies pinpointing how much we spend on what are apparently inessentials.

If the cost of living's catching up with you, a payday loan of between £80 and £1,000 would provide the short-term cash to help buy you time to sort out a realistic spending plan while not necessitating an immediate, sudden change in your habits or lifestyle.



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