LONDON, March 12 /PRNewswire/ --
- 20-a-Day Habit to Cost GBP2077 a Year
Smokers with a 20-a-day habit will be paying over GBP2077 a year for their habit after the latest Budget tax rise. Chancellor Alistair Darling's announcement of a 11p per pack rise coincides with the 25th annual No Smoking Day, which takes place today (12 March).
To mark the event, the No Smoking Day charity has released new research showing almost one in five smokers plan to stop today(1). Research indicates the rising cost of smoking is proving a key factor in triggering quit attempts.
No Smoking Day chief executive Dan Tickle said: "Today's Budget rise, coming on the back of smoke free legislation, is likely to be a decisive factor for many smokers considering quitting. A 20-a-day smoker will now be spending well over GBP2000 a year, up from under GBP500 when we launched our first No Smoking Day, 25 years ago.
"But the good news is that the UK now leads the world in services for people who want to quit smoking. You're four times more likely to succeed if you use the free local stop smoking services. So if you are thinking about quitting, there's really never been a better time."
This year's campaign, The Great No Smoking Day Challenge, sees events taking place across the UK, with local stop smoking services, employers, GPs and others providing help, support and advice to those that are ready to stop.
Notes to Editors
- Photo: HM Treasury, Parliament Square, illuminated at night with a 'Beat the Budget' message for smokers, and a large cigarette stubbed on the No Smoking Day target image. Available here: http://www.nosmokingday.org.uk/budget.
- For photographs of Dan Tickle, or for The Great No Smoking Day Challenge graphics, contact the No Smoking Day campaign team (details below).
- Case studies of celebrity and real-life quitters are available from the No Smoking Day campaign team (details below).
- (1) Research conducted by YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,126 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 21st - 25th February 2008. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).
- No Smoking Day is organised by a charity of the same name run by four full time staff. The charity aims to help people who want to stop smoking by creating a supportive environment for them, and by highlighting the many sources of help available to people who want to quit.
- ISDN line available for interviews.
http://www.nosmokingday.org.uk
For further information, contact Vishnee Sauntoo, Campaign Manager or Joyce Chia, Campaign Officer on +44-207-739-5110 or email: vishnee@nosmokingday.org.uk. Out of office press mobile: +44-7770-657-241
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