With almost 12 million1 smokers in the UK, over £19.5 billion is spent every year on cigarettes. For the individual smoker, this is an average annual cost of £1,635 that could be saved towards more rewarding and lasting purchases.

National No Smoking Day on 10 March is a great time to consider what this money could be spent on if cigarettes were not a daily habit. The money spent in one year on smoking 20 cigarettes per day (£1,635), could pay for a seven night Eastern Caribbean cruise3 for two people at £1,530 with a little left over for the duty free shop.

Giving up 40 cigarettes per day over a two-year period would save £6,540. This is almost enough to buy a brand new Smart car, at £6,560.

The same amount of cigarettes over a five-year period costs £16,352, which would cover the cost of the average wedding at £14,000. If this habit were maintained for seven years, a total of £22,890 would be spent. This could fund an 18 year old’s university education, costing an average of £22,5006.

Even ‘social smokers’ could reap the benefits of kicking the habit. Just 20 cigarettes a week would cost £232.96 per year, and this is almost enough to pay for a two week fly drive to Florida for two people (£269.00)3.

Angus Porter, Abbey’s Customer Director said: ”Giving up or cutting down on cigarettes can be tough, but the cash-saving aspect can be very rewarding. If the money is put towards a specific goal such as a summer holiday, new car or home improvement, the incentive to quit is far greater than just spending it on everyday purchases. Over the course of five years, the amount saved could fund far bigger goals, such as a new career or a round the world trip”.

Over a longer period of time, the amount smokers could save is even more extensive. Twenty cigarettes a day over a 40-year period would cost £65,400. This could buy a three-bedroom property in Malaga (£59,859/€85,0007). Forty cigarettes a day for 50 years would cost a staggering £163,520 which could help to fund a very comfortable retirement lifestyle.

If giving up long term vice seems too drastic, just cutting down could help considerably when trying to save money. Over twelve months, if a smoker reduces the habit from forty cigarettes a day to just ten, £2,452 could be saved.