Making Cents: It pays to make this costly habit go up in smoke

If you are determined that this is the year that you stop smoking for good, free supports are available.

Smoking: kicking the habit could save you up to €700 per annum

Ash Wednesday happens this week, a day traditionally used to encourage smokers to quit. We all know the many good reasons to give up cigarettes. The financial gains are much less important than the health benefits but are still significant.

Many smokers deliberately avoid doing the maths but, at €14 for a box of 20, a 20-a-day habit works out at €5,110 per year. That’s more than €400 a month spent doing something that causes you harm, that your family and friends wish you wouldn’t do and that you more than likely regret ever starting.