Despite the NHS’s best efforts, around 20% of Mancunian adults class themselves as smokers, spending upwards of eight days a year puffing on cigarettes – equal to more than a year of their life if they were to keep up the habit!
The research, conducted by nicotine pouch retailer Haypp.com, was carried out to find out just how much family-time Brits are missing out on due to their nicotine habits. The results found that more than a quarter (26%) of smokers always smoke alone, 23% would never smoke around family, and eight out of ten always smoke outside – whatever the weather.
Cigarettes are not only impacting smokers’ personal lives, causing them to miss out on vital time that could be spent with friends and family, but also having consequences at work, with 18% admitting to nipping outside during working hours for a crafty fag costing employers and the economy.
To encourage Mancunians to swap to a smoke-free alternative, Haypp.com has launched the Smoking Amnesty, taking place at Trafford Centre over the 16th to 18th February. Visitors will be encouraged to trade in their cigarettes for smoke-free nicotine pouches, to help them make the swap to a less harmful alternative.
Markus Lindblad, Director at Haypp.com, said: “We all know that smoking has massively detrimental effects on our health, but mental health can be just as important. This research shows that smoking daily is alienating people from their friends and families, causing them to miss out on over a week of their life each year, which is truly shocking. It’s also unnecessary when there is such a range of smoke-free alternatives available that can be used anywhere discreetly.”
This isn’t surprising given that a quarter (24%) are cutting back in other areas of their life to be able to afford to smoke, with the average smoker spending over £2300 per year on cigarettes.
Dr Jane McCartney, phycologist & human behaviour expert, said: “Like most habits smoking is hard to give up, but is more than feasible with the right support. There is a lot of help available for those who want to stop smoking and get back to really enjoying time with their family and friends.”
