To think that people who smoke aren't totally skint?

[Greedymiss]

Probably going to get shot to pieces for this, but aibu to think that if you are are buying cigarettes, then you aren't actually totally broke?

This has come from someone who has been saying that they can't afford food, but are spending between £40-£70 per week on cigarettes.

I do get that times are tough and the reason that this has made me feel angry is because it reminded me of my parents when I was growing up. We never had money for any luxuries like days out or nice clothes, because they were always poor. Yet they both smoked like chimneys and drank like fish.

Yes I agree it’s not simple. But people make choices.

Well - perhaps they are skint as they prioritise cigarettes over food and other items?

It's an addiction though. It's very very addictive and bloody hard to quit.

Surely they are now skint as they have spent all on fags.

YANBU

This has come from someone who has been saying that they can't afford food, but are spending between £40-£70 per week on cigarettes.

They probably choose between food or cigarettes. Same as others who choose between food and heat. Cigarettes can be additive as heroin for some people so unless you have been there you shouldn't judge.

It’s a massive waste of money. I say that as an ex smoker

It's an addiction. How many times has your diet or digital detox started "tomorrow"?

It’s more complicated than that. People who smoke and drink heavily are addicted to those substances and that’s for complex multfactoral reasons of which poverty is usually a significant one. It’s an awful cycle to break out of.

I also struggle to respect people who do this, particularly if they are prioritising over food and essentials for their families and I find the idea of somebody on benefits dropping £20 on a pack of fags breathtaking but by definition these are desperate people who struggle to get off a horrible treadmill of addiction.

It's hard though when it's so addictive. And some people really struggle to find the will power to quit. Even when they know it's no good for them. I guess the cigarettes numb the hunger though.

Maybe smokers go without other luxuries to fund their habit/ addiction. Surely that is how people budget generally.
Am not sure why it is anyone else’s business how others spend their money TBH or is this just a smoker bashing thread 🤔

There are different kinds of “skint” - like I’m skint now but what I mean is I’ve not got much left for luxuries; but all our bills are paid. However, you should always put necessities before luxuries (food, shelter and utilities, as well as non optional travel are necessities IMO) so certainly they should be buying food instead of cigarettes.

My partner used to smoke and couldn’t afford to so gave it up. It is possible to quit. It’s not possible to quit eating though.

Not good if there's kids to feed though.

This is like saying a homeless person who scrapes together a few quid for special brew isn't skint.

It sounds like the people they are referencing are maybe unable to purchase food though? I’m picturing that they are asking for OP for money for food while spending money on cigarettes?

It’s different if it’s your children going without food/heating because you smoke, surely?

I remember a magistrate who had people in the early 90s appear for non-payment of the poll tax. If they said they smoked, it was deemed to be (in those days) that they could afford £10 a week to pay off their debt.

Someone who it must be said was a very anti-smoker.

When my mum says she's skint, I reminder her of her £600 a month smoking habit.

Yes, her choice. My choice not to hear her moan about it.

Is this a smoker bashing thread or a benefits bashing thread?

It's absolutely nothing like that.

YANBU but you will get a bashing on here. We aren't supposed to judge what people spend their money on etc. But if they are going to a food bank claiming to be too poor for food then spending £50/week on fags then it's not really on. Equally if kids are in tatty old clothes, never have a day out, don't do any extra-curricular, don't have holidays - but both parents smoke & drink then it's a case of priorities. It's fine to smoke and drink if you can heat you home and feed your kids adequately.

You can be bitter about your parents but back in the day cigarettes cost nothing

Important 🤣

In many areas people are able to buy smuggled cigarettes, for far less. However I have read they are far worse than the legal ones health wise

I need to know whether to be outraged about smoking or benefits.