Today is World Smoke Free Day. First thing out the gate: If I told you I was 100% smoke free, I would be telling fibs.
I can still remember the first time I had a puff, pinching some tobacco from Dad, and rolling the most pathetic cigarette you have ever seen. I'm pretty sure I rolled it backwards as when my friend and I lit it, it fell apart.
Next it was college; 14 years old, facial hair (like a milk moustache) on my upper lip, hiding behind a gas station with my mates puffing away because it was cool … behind a gas station ... what an idiot. But it was just what you did. These days it is frowned upon, I guess.
Anyone that knows me knows I am not an anti-smoker. We are all grownups and can make our own decisions, but one thing I want to mention is the effect that smoking has on your insurance premiums. Not only is it expensive to buy cigarettes these days (long gone are the $3 ten packs) but the cost of insurance premiums compared to a non smoker are as good as double for the sake of simple maths. If you do stop smoking for 12 months, most insurers will happily change your premiums to that of a non-smoker - great news.
I pay smokers rates; something Tania and my wife Emma regularly remind me of, so hopefully by putting it out there it will get me to finally knock it on the head completely. I have quit for a year or so before but my relapses tend to happen when I have a couple of beers with friends - very naughty.
Quitline is good, they can supply you with patches or your Dr can prescribe you some wonder treatments, but I personally believe you have to WANT to quit. If you don't want to quit, nothing will work.
If you have quit smoking after you initially took out an insurance policy and think you still might be paying smokers rates, get in touch and let's cut your premiums down.