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Original poster

If you smoke

135 replies

thinykinny87 · 15/02/2023 12:32

Then how do you afford it

No judgement at all. I'm inspired to ask by another thread where someone said it costs £12 a pack. I had no idea. I thought maybe £7/8 a pack.

I'm guessing so many are vaping now due to cost.

OP posts:
MaverickGooseGoose · 15/02/2023 12:43

Because some people can afford it? Or is thinly veiled benefits bashing?

Original poster
thinykinny87 · 15/02/2023 12:48

No it absolutely isn't. I was just shocked at the price I had no idea.

OP posts:
DeltaAlphaDelta79 · 15/02/2023 12:50

I buy a pack of tobacco and that usually last me about a week. I only smoke about 7-8 a day tho and it costs me around £18-£20 a week. Luckily I can afford that, but I couldnt afford a pack of 20 a day. When I have been skint, smoking was the first thing to go.

VimFuego101 · 15/02/2023 12:53

I can't ever imagine being able to afford to smoke. I think you're right, OP, most people probably vape because it's cheaper nowadays.

DeltaAlphaDelta79 · 15/02/2023 12:54

VimFuego101 · 15/02/2023 12:53

I can't ever imagine being able to afford to smoke. I think you're right, OP, most people probably vape because it's cheaper nowadays.

I tried vaping, but didn't have the control I do with cigarettes, and I ended up using it loads and it cost me more than smoking.

Muchxperience · 15/02/2023 12:57

Ladies, the only cost we need to think about is cost to our health. I have been on an off smoking for fifty years and consider myself really stupt.

PlaitBilledDuckyPuss · 15/02/2023 12:58

Roll me own, innit Grin

Original poster
thinykinny87 · 15/02/2023 13:03

I had noticed less people smoking. When I think back to my teen years (mid to late 90s) so many people smoked. There was even a smoking room in my first job.

OP posts:
theemmadilemma · 15/02/2023 13:14

I smoke about 7 a day. Embassy £10.

Fortunately I can afford to now. But even so, I always just found the money. You do, for what you prioritise that point in life, and sadly addicited smokers will certainly prioritise tabacco.

Kranke · 15/02/2023 13:14

Same way people afford holidays, alcohol, going to a football match, going to a restaurant, eating meat, buying expensive clothes, having a hobby- people with prioritise their spending. I’m not sure what’s so difficult to grasp?!

Rebellious23 · 15/02/2023 13:18

You just do
I was smoking 30 a day, and I certainly don't have the money for that now! It just gets eaten up in other stuff unless you specifically put it to one side

OneMoreCookieMonster · 15/02/2023 13:23

I was a smoker and will probably go back to it at some point. I always do. Mine cost nearly £13/pack. 10ish/day sometimes more. On a night out a full pack. Average 3 maybe 4 packs a week depending.

Since I've stopped smoking in October I have saved over £1000 easily on it. If I couldn't afford it I wouldn't do it or have done it. But, I don't get my nails done, eyelashes or even drink alcohol regularly. It's how I was choosing to spend my money. Its always down to choice.

GilliansFarm · 15/02/2023 13:36

Because I live abroad and they are 4EUR a pack.

GoodChat · 15/02/2023 13:41

MaverickGooseGoose · 15/02/2023 12:43

Because some people can afford it? Or is thinly veiled benefits bashing?

Bit of a leap

Simonjt · 15/02/2023 13:50

I don’t smoke a lot, not even every day, so I don’t spend a great deal on cigarettes, 20 would usually last me at least two weeks, I pay about £14 for 20 marlboro red.

Dianehb · 15/02/2023 14:10

My husband and I are regular 20 a day smokers and we smoke cigs that cost just over £10 a pack, so weekly expenditure is £150 for us. My teenage daughter has recently started smoking and we have to buy her cigs too, so another £50 a week. I know it is expensive, but all enjoy our cigs and I usually buy 4 x 100 packs a week in total.

3WildOnes · 15/02/2023 14:12

I don't smoke every day. Probably buy a pack every 3 weeks. So £20 a month isn't that much.

Whiskers4 · 15/02/2023 14:39

Those people who have disposable income will spend it on different things. If you're spending a reasonable amount on cigarettes, that's less for meals or coffee out, day trips, treats for kids, a nice new top as a treat or even the cost of an annual holiday. There are things I'd prioritise on that list over cigarettes, others would choose different things or the cigarettes.

Muchxperience · 15/02/2023 17:23

My last post about smoking should read stupid at the end!!

Floomobal · 15/02/2023 17:26

Dianehb · 15/02/2023 14:10

My husband and I are regular 20 a day smokers and we smoke cigs that cost just over £10 a pack, so weekly expenditure is £150 for us. My teenage daughter has recently started smoking and we have to buy her cigs too, so another £50 a week. I know it is expensive, but all enjoy our cigs and I usually buy 4 x 100 packs a week in total.

This is one of the strangest things I’ve read. You’re spending £600 a month on something which will kill you, and have now also started paying for something which will kill your daughter? And encouraging your teenager to smoke, by buying her cigarettes??

Bluevelvetsofa · 15/02/2023 17:27

It’s many many years ago that I stopped smoking. I saved the money I would have spent and bought a sofa.

I was in a supermarket a while ago, at the customer service desk. The man in front of me bought lottery tickets and cigarettes. He spent £200.

lovemypuppa · 15/02/2023 17:34

Dianehb · 15/02/2023 14:10

My husband and I are regular 20 a day smokers and we smoke cigs that cost just over £10 a pack, so weekly expenditure is £150 for us. My teenage daughter has recently started smoking and we have to buy her cigs too, so another £50 a week. I know it is expensive, but all enjoy our cigs and I usually buy 4 x 100 packs a week in total.

Surely this is a wind up regarding your daughter?

B0g · 15/02/2023 17:40

@Dianehb what? You ‘have’ to buy your child cigarettes and smoking is a beloved family hobby? 😄 brutal. Poor kid.

Tethersend01 · 15/02/2023 17:41

One of the worst things I’ve read on MN in all the years ive been on it.
by all means kill yourselves with it but to actively facilitate your child in doing so is fucking sick.
saying this as someone who watched their Dad die in his 40’s from smoking- his tumour haemorrhaged and literally drowned in his own blood.

FlibbertyGibbitt · 15/02/2023 17:45

Dianehb · 15/02/2023 14:10

My husband and I are regular 20 a day smokers and we smoke cigs that cost just over £10 a pack, so weekly expenditure is £150 for us. My teenage daughter has recently started smoking and we have to buy her cigs too, so another £50 a week. I know it is expensive, but all enjoy our cigs and I usually buy 4 x 100 packs a week in total.

Wowzers