Stub It Out! Improve your health and save money

Leading financial services provider, Co-operative Insurance (CIS) is urging smokers to kick the habit and save money as well as their health on National No Smoking Day (14 March).

According to official statistics around 12 million (1 in 4) adults in the UK could save over £1,800 a year by giving up cigarettes. In the case of a smoking couple that saving could rise to a staggering figure of over £3,000 per year.

In addition to the money saved by stopping smoking - and the obvious benefits enjoyed through improved health – it 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.

Fiona Jackson, Head of Protection at Co-operative Insurance said: “Giving up smoking can save people a significant amount as well as hopefully bringing a longer and better quality of life. Someone who is able to give up an addictive habit like smoking can certainly take charge of their own financial destiny and make adequate financial provisions for their future.

"Co-operative Insurance provides attractive protection products to both smokers and non-smokers, though our customers will definitely reap the rewards if they can kick the habit and no longer watch their money go up in smoke."

According to official statistics, smoking is more common in men (26 per cent) compared to 23 per cent of women.

Worryingly, smoking causes thirty 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.

The health benefits of stopping smoking start almost immediately:

After….

20 minutes: Blood pressure and pulse return to normal
8 hours: Nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in the blood are halved, oxygen levels 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

Although it is difficult to imagine, should the worst happen Co-operative Insurance Critical Illness Cover provides an affordable method to help cope with the financial and emotional implications of many serious illnesses. It is available with optional life cover or as a stand-alone policy for those already with sufficient life assurance. The policy pays a tax-free lump sum to customers surviving 28 days after the diagnosis of one of the specified illnesses/conditions, or immediately following diagnosis if the cover is combined with life assurance.