Credit crunch aids smokers' efforts to quit tobacco habit

Published on Tuesday 10 March 2009 20:48

ALMOST half of smokers in Scotland are considering kicking the habit as the financial crisis continues to bite, research reveals.

A survey to mark No Smoking Day today found that 43 per cent of Scottish smokers were thinking about or planning to cut down or quit due to the economic downturn.

More than one in ten (12 per cent) said they would try to quit today as part of the annual campaign to encourage people to stop smoking.

But another survey found the credit crunch was causing some people to smoke more due to the increased stress they were suffering.

The poll found 4 per cent of Scottish smokers said they were smoking more because of financial pressures.

Duncan Bannatyne, president of No Smoking Day, said: "Everyone is feeling the pinch during the current recession.

"For smokers, who can spend over 2,000 a year on cigarettes, it's particularly tough, so for those who are ready to quit there has never been a better time."