New Year quitters urged to invest in family's futures

Stubbing out your 5 a day habit could help you give your child £15,500 on their 18th birthday. Leading Child Trust Fund provider, The Children's Mutual is encouraging all parents who decide to give up smoking as their New Year's resolution to consider putting the money that they will save towards their children's futures.

According to figures from the NHS, smokers dropping a five a day habit will save on average £40 a month. If this amount were in turn invested each month into a child's Child Trust Fund it could grow to £15,500 when the fund matures on the child's 18th birthday. The monthly saving raises to £158 for those quitting a 20 a day habit. This could fully fund a CTF with some left over each month.

While the NHS records numerous health benefits associated with giving up smoking, the potential to improve a child's future financial health can also be added to the list of reasons to quit.

Marketing Director of The Children's Mutual, Tony Anderson, comments; ‘People often view the New Year as a time to take stock and we know that many use it as an opportunity to make promises to themselves and others - but these are not always easy to keep. What better incentive could there be for sticking to a resolution than the knowledge that, as well as improving your own long-term wellbeing, the commitment could further benefit your children as they enter adulthood in the years to come.'