Saving With Seth: Your cash up in smoke

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - The recent money crunch has left many wallets flat, and investments have gone up in smoke. With an increase in tobacco tax on its way, Nancy Anderson, Sigma Smoking Cessation Counselor, said some people are considering kicking the habit.

"Most people I've talked to are reducing the number of cigarettes they smoke each day," she said.

There are many reasons to stop smoking. The main one centers around health concerns. But now people are quitting or cutting down for another reason: the cost in cold hard cash.

"Cigarette smoking costs a lot more than the cost of cigarettes," said Anderson. "It's the visit to the doctor, it's the medication they are having to take, it's the ER visits and the hospitalizations. So, over time you're saving thousands upon thousands of dollars by quitting smoking."

Anderson said currently a person smoking one pack a day would save nearly $1,500 a year by quitting, and that's before the $.61 per pack increase going into effect April 1st. Sarah Parrish, Just Smokes Manager, said she has seen some customers cutting back or buying a cheaper brand.

"There are some people that we've told this is our cheaper cigarette, it will be less expensive for you and they've just switched," she said.

Others are turning to another method.

" A lot of people are switching to roll-your-own products," Parrish said.

"I've already gone from smoking the name brand cigarette to rolling my own because it's, well, about $40 a week cheaper," said Bekki Williams, Just Smokes customer.

Williams said she is trying to find ways to cut back, but ultimately hopes to stop altogether.

"I've been wanting to quit so it's actually kind of helped me. It's helped me cut back a lot," she said.

Anderson said there are services available for people wanting to quit. She said in particular people can take advantage of the free Indiana Tobacco Quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-084-8669). She encourages people to set a date to quit smoking. Without that deadline Anderson said people can easily revert back to smoking.

Don't forget we want to hear how the economy is affecting you and your tips to saving money. E-mail us at saving@wlfi.com.