October is Stoptober. You’ll probably have seen the TV adverts aimed at helping you to give up smoking featuring several comedians already.
But while October is still a week or so away, you can start preparing now by ordering a free support kit to help you stop smoking via the Stoptober website.
The free kit includes a health and wealth wheel demonstrating the financial and health benefits of quitting, and a calendar of key quitting milestones.
The Stoptober campaign says people who quit smoking for 28 days are five times more likely to kick the habit for good. And of course at MoneySavingExpert, not only is it important for your health, but your wealth too!
Public Health England says a 20-a-day smoker can save up to £250 a month by stopping.
For help and support you can also join our Forum, where we’ll also be supporting you and helping you track your progress.
The Pub Landlord Stoptober Q&A
One of Stoptober’s celebrity ambassadors this year is The Pub Landlord, aka comedian Al Murray. We asked him a few questions, on smoking and more.
The Pub Landlord (Al Murray)
(Also see last year’s Twitter Q&A blog with then celebrity ambassador, comedian Lee Nelson (real name Simon Brodkin).)
MoneySavingExpert. Are you giving up smoking for Stoptober?
Pub Landlord. No. You can’t give up something you don’t do. And I’m hardly going to start so I can stop! If we know one thing giving up is tough!
Q. You ran for MP in the General Election – what’s the first thing you’d have done if you got into Parliament?
A. Oh that’s easy, once I’d had a brief chat with the chiefs of staff about what to do about France, I’d have made every effort to get my main policy of 1p a pint enacted.
Q. How much is a pint in your local? (Please be Drinkaware.)
A. Well, I get a special in-trade discount. One of the perks of the position.
Q. Where’s the cheapest pint?
A. I once went to the Falkland Islands where the beer was much, much cheaper than you’d expect seeing as it was so far from source. You have to get there of course, but once you do you’re looking at a very cheap session.
MSE note: vote in our How much is a pint in your local? poll.
Q. What’s the most expensive thing you’ve wasted money on?
A. My motor. I thought it was a Daimler Sovereign but it turns out it’s a cut and shut with the back end of a Jag. You can tell because it’s like someone whose bum is too big for their body.
Q. What was your first job?
A. Cleaning glasses.
Q. Other than a house what’s the most expensive thing you’ve ever bought?
A. Well that depends doesn’t it? Some things are expensive not for the sheer amount of money they cost but relative to their value and or worth.
The problem with simply looking at a price tag, or number, to value something is to forget some fundamental ideas about cost, worth, value and price. I mean, a quid for a packet of pork scratchings???
Q. If money were no object what would you buy?
A. The Royal Mint.
Q. How good are you with money?
A. I couldn’t tell you how good I am with money. The best attitude you can have to money is to not let it get you down. Money can’t buy you love, it’s certainly never going to buy you happiness, but it will buy you things approximate love and happiness.
Q. When did you last check your bank balance?
A. Every time I look under the bed.
Q. If we gave you £1,000 right now, what would you do with it?
A. Well, that money would go straight to an orphanage, obviously. You’re not catching me out that easy.
Q. Best (family-friendly) joke off the top of your head?
A. What’s brown and taps on windows? Poo on stilts.
Are you taking part in Stoptober? Or do you have any tips to help others quit smoking? Please let us know your opinions in the discussion below or in the forum.
