This week, on Wednesday to be precise, National No Smoking Day was marked across the country. One of the highlights of the day was encouraging smokers to give up the habit. Insurers and health campaigners amongst stakeholders spoke glowingly about the benefits smokers stand to gain by quitting. The benefits, as explained, range from more financial savings to better health situations and much more.

Health risk of smoking

Tobacco smoking, according to a web dictionary definition, is the inhalation of smoke from burned dried or cured leaves of the tobacco plant, most of them in the form of a cigarette. People may indulge in the habit due to various reasons. While casual smokers do it for pleasure, some are actually addicted to the nicotine, which is found in tobacco and taken in by smoking. Social pressure, cultural or ritualistic factors may also contribute to smoking.

Irrespective of the reasons for smoking, tobacco products increasingly expose smokers, and even second hand smokers, to several health risks. Among these are cancer, strokes and heart diseases. Inhaled tobacco smoke exposes one to the risk of lung cancer, sinus disease and chronic obstructive lung disease. Whereas pipe smoking may seem less risky, researches have found that it is equally dangerous in that it renders one vulnerable to lung, larynx, throat, oesophagus, pancreas and colon-rectal cancers. It also increases the risk of coronary artery disease, emphysema, chronic bronchitis and strokes.

Some researchers have even suggested that tobacco could be linked to dermatological issues like premature aging and skin wrinkling.

Commenting on the likely health implication of smoking Norwich Union head of protection, Louise Colley said: “People who smoke have an increased risk of heart disease, breathing disorders and certain cancers, to name but few illnesses.”

Financial gains of quitting

Norwich Union was one of many insurance firms that actively participated in marking the No Smoking event, reminding smokers of the need to put a stop to the habit and reap several benefits. Smokers usually pay twice as much as non-smokers for life insurance and critical illness policies. A practical example is the case of a joint policy taken out by a non-smoking couple, who will be both 30 next birthday, paying £23.62 per month for 30 year level assurance. And the assured sum is £125,000, with reviewable critical illness cover.

On the contrary, smokers in the same age category will pay £37.62 per month, more than 60 per cent more, for a similar policy.

Making the move

Reaching a decision to quit smoking is certainly not a simple one. But striving towards it takes one a step closer to achieving it. With increased costs like tax being imposed on tobacco products, there is no better time to begin work on nipping the habit in the bud.

In the long run, if one carefully weighs the advantages and disadvantages, one will realise that by quitting smoking they are reducing the risk of having any of the diseases mentioned earlier in this article. The implication is that they will also be saving those close to them from exposure to second hand smoking and it risks. The final gains are also enormous as a quitter will be able to save more than £300 on premiums each year.