On World No Tobacco Day, Tasmanians are being urged to set a ‘quit date’ and take the first step towards living a smoke-free life.
Quit Tasmania Director, Abby Smith, says quitting can play a major part in easing the financial strain caused by the rising cost of living.
Smith highlighted the benefits of quitting with two shopping trolleys.
One is overflowing with a week’s supply of cigarette packs, costing a pack-a-day smoker a total of $253, while the other contains a selection of groceries worth the same amount.
Smith said that quitting smoking not only improves health but also provides a significant financial boost amidst increasing housing and food costs.
She revealed that quitting can save a pack-a-day smoker over $1,000 a month, or a staggering $13,000 a year.
“We know 80% of Tasmanians who smoke want to quit, with most citing health improvements and saving money as their main reasons for wanting to quit.”
Smith said the Federal Government has announced tobacco tax excise is set to increase by 5% for three years in addition to normal indexation, which means the price of tobacco will go up again.
“For people smoking roll-your-own tobacco, for the first-time loose-leaf tobacco will be taxed at the same rate as cigarette sticks.”
