Today

New research reveals that the average British smoker spends over £120,000 funding their habit in a lifetime.

This staggering figure – equivalent to a lifetime of foreign holidays - was arrived at by leading financial services provider Co-operative Insurance (CIS), based on an average single person smoking 436,800 cigarettes from 21,840 packets purchased.

Announcing their findings on National No Smoking Day (March 12th), CIS urged consumers to finally kick the habit and save some money. In addition to the money saved on cigarettes – and the obvious benefits enjoyed through improved health – they say smokers who quit will reap rewards in other ways. The company claim that stopping smoking can knock over a third off premiums for life, critical illness and income protection insurances. This is because medical evidence proves that smoking increases the risk of serious illnesses and exacerbates existing conditions.

Smoking causes 30 per cent of all cancer deaths (including at least 84 per cent of lung cancer deaths), 17 per cent of all heart disease deaths and at least 80 per cent of deaths from bronchitis and emphysema. But, the health benefits of stopping smoking start almost immediately.

• 20 minutes: Blood pressure and pulse return to normal
• 8 hours: Nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in the blood are halved, oxygen level in the blood return to normal
• 24 hours: Carbon monoxide is eliminated from the body and the lungs start to clear out the build up of tar
• 48 hours: There is no nicotine left in the body. Taste and smell are greatly improved

Fiona Jackson, Head of Protection at Co-operative Insurance said: “Giving up smoking can save people a significant amount of money as well as hopefully bringing a longer and better quality of life."