Task Force for Tobacco-Free Women & Girls :: We Have Better Things to Spend Our Money On!!

When tobacco advertisers try to portray smoking as a symbol of independence, they hope we won’t notice that people who smoke aren’t independent at all. They are really dependent on a product that hurts them every time they use it. Addiction compels them to keep buying cigarettes -- exactly what the tobacco companies manipulate them to do. Most people who smoke want to stop.

Having extra money to spend is one of the long-term, ongoing benefits of stopping smoking – it’s like getting a raise at work! If you are planning to quit, here’s a suggestion: From your quit date forward, keep the dollars you would have spent on cigarettes separate from the rest of your money. Set it aside every day and use that money to reward yourself! Spend it on things you’ll enjoy that won’t harm you. Some of us spend it every day; some save it up for something big.

Everyday, the money from a pack-a-day habit would buy

a Starbucks® Grande white chocolate mocha (or your personal favorite)
a “Gotta Have It” size Sinless Sorbet (fat free!) with one mix-in at Cold Stone Creamery (raspberries, mmmm…)
a good magazine to curl up with (be sure to get one without ads for tobacco products)
a 6-inch Subway sub
hair clips, spray, gel, nail polish, eyeliner
admission to a skating rink or gym for the day or have a heyday at the dollar store!

Dollars and Sense

A week’s worth of cigarette money would buy

a couple of new CDs or DVDs
admission for 2 (Take a friend!) to the latest movie
a gorgeous flower arrangement
a great manicure, including the tip

Every month we could buy a couple of great outfits (or one really great outfit, for those whose tastes tend toward higher prices…)

or start a new hobby…

or join a fitness club…

We’d have a good start toward a monthly car payment…

Maybe you’d prefer a cruise next year?

The world is filled with fun, tasty, exciting ways to celebrate being tobacco-free!