Cash for Quits?

[Boo]

Last night the local news ran a story about this study: http://www.tctmd.com/show.aspx?id=136042.  The basic summary of the study was that quitters offered financial incentives had better long-term success rates than those offered only support and vouchers for quitting aids.  I don't disagree with the basic premise, however I do feel the researchers missed the forest for the trees.

 

There was some consternation about where the money to pay quitters would come from.  Increased taxes on cigarettes were mentioned as were incentives offered by insurance providers to insured quitters.  This seems to me to be a great deal of unnecessary hand-wringing.  Quitting smoking and improved finances are a package deal.  When you quit smoking, you quit buying cigarettes thus removing a self-imposed tax.  Quitters, in effect, pay themselves.

 

Just yesterday, Joe wrote about saving $10,000 in under three-years by quitting.  There's your financial incentive right there.  If you want to quit and have more money, just quit.  Sometimes the only helping hand you need is at the end of your arm.

[Doreensfree]

Great post boo...

Over the years many a time when our children were growing up,we used to discuss if only we had more money,

We could do this..we could do that...we both smoked..we were blind to the plain fact...

Quit...and you immediately give yourself a massive pay rise...and have so much extra cash..

This is the plain fact...

[Nancy]

Excellent post and points, Boo!