An industry that churns out billions of Rands each year could cost you a minimum of R8 640 along with your health.
Smoking statistics may have dropped in the past few years, but a few puffs are putting smokers at a financial and health risk that can affect them in the long run.
27 billion cigarettes per year
There are many reasons why someone starts smoking. This could be done to manage stress, to be part of a social norm, curiosity or because they witnessed their parents do it. While statistics show that the numbers have dropped from 33% to 21%, there is a total of 27 billion cigarettes being smoked in a year.
The cost for smoking can cut down your years of living by 14 years due to a smoking-related disease such as lung cancer, stroke, heart disease, liver cancer, erectile dysfunction or diabetes. Your health is compromised as a smoker which can make simple tasks such as walking or exercising difficult. When it comes to protecting you and your loved ones financially, smoking can place you in a predicament for things such as life insurance.
Will you still be able to get life cover if you are a smoker?
Health plays an important role in life insurance and by actively playing a part in sustaining a lifestyle that improves your health, is encouraged.
While you may be able to get your hands on life cover if you are a smoker, it is likely that you will pay a higher premium due to the level of risk you pose. According to the Heart Foundation, tobacco use is one of the most preventable causes of death. However, 1 in 10 adults or 1 person every 6 seconds will be killed because of it.
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The benefits of quitting
Smoking is a physical addiction and psychological habit that people form which is why it is hard to quit, but it is possible. Setting a plan to actively help you quit is the first step. Set a plan:
A few cigarettes in a day could seem like a drop in the ocean of how it could affect your life, but the statistics state otherwise. Quitting can be hard, but the benefits that come with it are beneficial to both your wallet and your health.
A set ‘quit’ date that will get you geared towards stopping smoking completely.
Get support from friends, colleagues, and family that can encourage you on your journey.
Know the triggers that will get you smoking and find healthy ways to avoid these.
Create healthy substitutes that will replace the craving for a cigarette.
Save the money that you would generally use to buy cigarettes towards something.
In the first 20 minutes of quitting your heart rate drops. After 12 hours the carbon monoxide levels in your blood drops to normal. Within 2 to 3 weeks your risk of having a heart attack drops and your lungs functions improve. The longer you keep your winning streak in quitting smoking the more you will continue to reap the health and financial rewards.
