We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Lindsay Fox

Broke after Christmas? 7 tips to help you quit smoking and save money

You’ll be happier, healthier AND richer. What’s not to like?

IF YOU’RE THINKING of quitting smoking you probably have a list of reasons lined up as to why it’s a good idea.

From feeling better, breathing easier, to doing it for your family – there are so many reasons to quit.

But what about the money? Have you ever added up just how much it costs you to smoke?

If you smoke a pack a day, and spend €10 on it (yes, you can buy cheaper cigarettes or roll your own, but this is the measure we’re using), then you spend about €70 a week.

€70 can buy you -

  • A nice bottle of perfume or cologne
  • Dinner out for two with a bottle of wine
  • A night in a hotel

So in just three weeks you can smell great, be well fed AND get away for a mini-break.

One thing that may hit you as you try to stay away from smoking is the dreaded craving – that sneaky urge to have ‘just one’ smoke. Remember, almost everyone experiences cravings and they won’t last forever.

Typically, cravings for nicotine peak at just three to five minutes and will pass if you deal with them. They will also weaken over two to three weeks.

Every smoker is different, and while some might find stopping smoking harder than others, it’s important to remember that next to no-one regrets quitting. It can be uncomfortable at the beginning but Nicotine Replacement Therapy does make it easier for you to give up and increase your chances of success.

Anyway, to help you out along the way, we’ve put together seven distractions that will help keep you occupied for a few minutes – until that pesky craving passes.

1. Drink a glass of water

Giphy Giphy

Even something as simple as drinking water can help break a craving.

Unlike our feline friend there, we’d suggest getting a glass but each to their own.

There are no judgements here.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

2. Send a text… or make a phone call

Giphy Giphy

Is there anyone you’ve been meaning to catch up with, recently?

Someone who you owe a text or call to?

Now’s your time. Pick up that phone and give them a shout. It’ll distract you and you’ll have a great ol’ natter with someone you’ve been meaning to reach out to.

And if you can’t call, a text will do just as well. Take a minute and compose something funny. They’ll appreciate it, and so will your lungs.

3. Walk around the block

Giphy Giphy

Getting outside for five minutes will really help to distract you and, combined with a brisk walk, will kick those cravings to the kerb.

If you don’t have time to leave work to go out for a quick stroll, try going up and down the stairs a couple of times, or even just heading to the bathroom and back.

Anything that takes away the focus from wanting a cigarette.

4. Coffee break

Giphy Giphy

Oftentimes the urge to have a cigarette is linked to having a break – so why not swap that cigarette break by mixing up your habits? Try some fruit juice, or a different-flavoured tea. You could even change the hand that you hold the cup in!

5. Dance party

Giphy Giphy

Now, this mightn’t be one you can do in the workplace – although you could run off to the bathroom and bust a move there for a minute or two, but having a little dance party for a few minutes will help shake off that craving (Taylor Swift style if you so choose).

Throw on some banging beats and sh-sh-shake it off.

6. Jumping jacks

Giphy Giphy

Again, probably not for the workplace, but jumping up and down for a few minutes will not only distract you, it will increase oxygen around the body and make you feel energetic.

You could have a coffee or tea break. It’s all about breaking habits really so it doesn’t matter what you do, so long as you don’t have a smoke.

7. Deep breaths

Giphy Giphy

Hey, if Don Draper can quit the smokes, so can you.

Taking a few deep breaths will distract you from the craving and also have a calming effect.

You don’t need to do it for a full five minutes – even three deep breaths will help to distract you from the craving, but if you can add a little meditation (otherwise known as quiet deep breathing) to your life, you’ll see even more benefits than just helping to beat the cravings.

Plus, you’ll have more time to think about how you’re going to spend all that cash you’ll save. It’s a win-win.

 

Have you quit? Are you thinking about it? What would you buy with your savings? Let us know in the comments below.

It’s safe to say there’s a lot of savings to be made if you can quit smoking. In order to help you kick the habit and save some serious cash head over to the HSE’s Quit.ie website to find out more. From quit tips to live chat, there’s support available to help you create your own personalised quitting plan – so there’s never been a better time to ditch the cigs for good. 

Close
23 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute tomeenoldstock
    Favourite tomeenoldstock
    Report
    Jan 1st 2017, 12:18 PM

    I’m 46 now and off the smokes with 8 years. The hardest but best thing I ever did. Tried everything from patches, Alan Carr class to hypnosis but in the end it was will power and nothing else worked for me. I always found new Years day a bad day to start. Try another date in early February when the hype about quitting is over. It worked for me.

    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Luke
    Favourite Luke
    Report
    Jan 1st 2017, 7:40 PM

    Fair play!

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute William Boyd
    Favourite William Boyd
    Report
    Jan 1st 2017, 12:31 AM

    I’m 50 now smoking since I was about 10 give and take, still alive can I not enjoy a cigarette in this day of rotten horrible moral crusaders constant interference?

    I’ve a funny feeling I drink not quiet like a trooper but close enough and smoke like a trooper I’ll outlive many of you do gooders who think they will live forever because they eat their greens instead of the local chipper, you’re dead like me enjoy life ffs, get that in your brain you will be a headstone one time?

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pat Patovic
    Favourite Pat Patovic
    Report
    Jan 1st 2017, 5:03 AM

    @William Boyd: How can anyone enjoy cigarette at a cost of 11 euro for pack of 20?

    40
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tweety McTweeter
    Favourite Tweety McTweeter
    Report
    Jan 1st 2017, 8:43 AM

    The same way as someone can enjoy a fine Cuban cigar at €30 a pop

    37
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Magnificent Hog
    Favourite The Magnificent Hog
    Report
    Jan 1st 2017, 7:14 PM

    I gave up smoking, heroin, crack and hookers on the same day. I wouldn’t recommend it.

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute MARK O 'LEARY
    Favourite MARK O 'LEARY
    Report
    Jan 2nd 2017, 2:53 AM

    Was it of a Friday?

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Congress Tart
    Favourite Congress Tart
    Report
    Jan 1st 2017, 11:36 AM

    Smoking is for losers.

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Luke
    Favourite Luke
    Report
    Jan 1st 2017, 7:40 PM

    Big time

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Muiris de Bhulbh
    Favourite Muiris de Bhulbh
    Report
    Jan 1st 2017, 12:25 PM

    I have seen people die slowly and distressingly, from tobacco related illness. There are NO good reasons to smoke. ( I stopped age 12).

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Congress Tart
    Favourite Congress Tart
    Report
    Jan 1st 2017, 1:13 PM

    William above disagrees – he’s managed to live to a ripe old age of 50 so far and only has bad teeth, bad breath, & skin like a tortoise. So there!

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jackson Bollovks
    Favourite Jackson Bollovks
    Report
    Jan 2nd 2017, 3:15 AM

    Were you 40 a day st 11?

    5
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Muiris de Bhulbh
    Favourite Muiris de Bhulbh
    Report
    Jan 2nd 2017, 9:52 AM

    Not quite, Jackson, I couldn’t afford them

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bennythekid
    Favourite Bennythekid
    Report
    Jan 1st 2017, 3:38 PM

    €11 for 20 cigs-I thought there were only 3 ways to make a man poor-a hound a horse or a (blank) ye can add the fags to that lads.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Luke
    Favourite Luke
    Report
    Jan 1st 2017, 7:39 PM

    People who smoke are lower class citizens. Weak-minded, weak-willed, pathetic human beings.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cian O Broin
    Favourite Cian O Broin
    Report
    Jan 2nd 2017, 1:07 AM

    This must mean that your a lower class citizen? With a pathetic statement like that we are all inclined to believe you. I suggest you take a good long look at yourself in the mirror and question the definition of class, because you don’t portray it.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jackson Bollovks
    Favourite Jackson Bollovks
    Report
    Jan 2nd 2017, 3:14 AM

    Ok Adolf

    3
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Luke
    Favourite Luke
    Report
    Jan 2nd 2017, 10:16 AM

    Elaborate there a little. Break down why people smoke or at least continue to smoke. Weakness. That’s all it is. And to answer your question, no.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Luke
    Favourite Luke
    Report
    Jan 2nd 2017, 10:18 AM

    Why do we congratulate people when they stop smoking?It’s like when people lose weight, you congrats them because they improved their lives. Made a positive difference to themselves, that’s why

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Frank Drebbin
    Favourite Frank Drebbin
    Report
    Jan 2nd 2017, 12:17 AM

    People who smoke are just ordinary people like everyone else.

    It took me 3 serious attempts to give them up. The Alan Carr book is excellent, even if it doesn’t work for you it is well worth the read. Even after you get off them it’s a long road to be happy in yourself without them. Mind you with all the no smoking places now it must be a bit easier. Going for a pint when you were off the cigs used to be very hard with others smoking around you.

    If you have kids don’t let them smoke, ever.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jackson Bollovks
    Favourite Jackson Bollovks
    Report
    Jan 2nd 2017, 3:13 AM

    GIVE UP THE BOOZE for the first few weeks or months.. don’t kid yourself that you can go drinking to the pub after a couple of weeks off the fags, also remove everything in your house relating to smoking; lighters, matches, ashtrays etc.. don’t go near those vapes,Best of luck

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute paddy Jennings
    Favourite paddy Jennings
    Report
    Jan 2nd 2017, 7:16 PM

    What hotel where for 70 quid a night

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Noel_Random
    Favourite Noel_Random
    Report
    Jan 2nd 2017, 11:39 AM

    If you really want to quit and have struggled in the past, try vaping. Just like patches and gums it gives you the nicotine without the smoke and tar but, unlike patches it also better replicates the hand to mouth action of smoking and the vapour is more satisfying. I quit a 30 year heavy smoking habit 3 years ago thanks to vaping with none of the withdrawal symptoms of previous attempts or as described in this article. Ignore those items in the local shop that look like cigarettes and go seek advice from a dedicated vaping store. Ignore the scaremongering online from Pharma and Tobacco and ill informed “public health” bodies (many in the pay of pharma). If you’re a smoker, you wont experience a greater joy than the freedom from tobacco and the financial savings are huge. It’s the best gift you can give yourself or a loved one.

    3
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.