I am a smoker, tried loads of time to give up, but miss it too much.
When i was in my IVA i was allowed £20 a month and that was it.
They often say if you give up smoking the amount of money you will save, i agree, but you dont save it you end up spending it on other things.
I found in my IVA through my own choice i cut down in other areas so i could buy cigs.
If i didnt do this and i am sure like most other people who do smoke who of had to go bankcrupt instead and creditors get less money.
Also if we go done the route of no you cant spend money on cigs then and iva should state you have to rent the ****tess of **** holes you can find for £100 a month, buy supermarkets own brands only no allownace for petrol or cars no matter the reason as their is public trabsport
I think there is a very fine between what is reasonable and what is not. I wish they would give an allowance as being a smoker its a necessity (to me) but I can see both sides of this debate, I'm glad I started it, its been interesting to hear peoples views.
A very good subject to debate....personally I can't see why it should be a necessity, people choose to smoke, which is all well and good if you can afford it. No different to an expensive hobby in my book.
Swans_girl, I assume youre lucky enough not to be addicted to cigarettes?! Non smokers should try and understand that some of us no longer just smoke for the fun of it, its an addiction and not an easy one to break. Bit like spending too much money when we know we shouldnt!!
Nikki -you're right I am a non smoker, although i don't consider myself lucky not to be addicted, why should I?
Remember all smokers chose to smoke it wasn't /isn't a necessity of life , like any habit it can be hard to break, but those who don't participate shouldnt be made to suffer.
I never chose to smoke..I chose to have cats but I couldn't claim to feed them...tell me where the logic/fairness is in that.
I chose to smoke when I was younger, and I also chose to give it up for the sake of my health, and the sake of my purse.
I don't see why the comments are out of order - we are all entitled to our opinions and are allowed to voice them on here as long as they don't get out of hand.
I agree with earlier posts that if I was an alcoholic, a gambler or a drug addict, I wouldn't get an allowance for those, I'd have to fund the habit from anything I could save from my other allowances and I think it should be the same with smokers.
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
Life is full of choices, to smoke is a choice just as it was mine to choose a Dior lipgloss and eat beans on toast for a week over a Rimmel one.
My opinion of I think an allowance is wrong is formed as a smoker who gave up pre IVA because I could no longer afford to smoke and put decent food on the table.
Smoking is no more a priority in life than it is for me to wear a full face of make up everyday to ensure I look my best when dealing with people nor is it more than a glass of wine to unwind after a hard day running around with childminders, kids clubs and work. This is done if I have the money spare as there is no allowance for.
Fine if you choose to smoke, crack on with it but should be at the expennse of something else, and dont forget there is loads of FREE help out there for people who choose to stop smoking.
Back to square one but what dunt kill you makes you stronger!!
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
If only there were a magic cure! I have tried the patches, inhaler etc and no luck. But then I suppose you really must want to give up. Not sure about it being free though, had to pay prescription charges. I know presciptions are cheaper than the cigs and had to get two last week for an ear infection (£14.40), I nearly fell over with the price. Can't remember the last time I was ill and needed one.
I wonder what the government would tax more if smoking was made illegal? Who would they hit the hardest? They make loads of money from tax on cigs.
If there is an allowance then you have a right to ask for it. I certainly will be.
Good debate though
If people say that smokers cannot have an allowance because it is lifestyle choice where do we stop? I do not have any animals nor go to the gym but I think that these are reasonable allowances.
Also, I do not drive yet and cars are much greater polluters than the humble cigarette. If you spent a whole day in a room full of smokers with the windows shut it may be unpleasnt but you will not die. Try it with car exhaust fumes and you will not last 15 minutes!!!
Smokers pay 6 times as much in tax as the alleged cost to the NHS. This money has been ringfenced for years and goes to the NHS.If it wasn't for smokers there would be no NHS.
I think we are all going to have to agree to disagree on this one.
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
I find it hard to believe that people get a smoking allowance, yet don't get one for the gym or exercise classes! Surely someone who wants to do something healthy should be applauded, not made to give up?!?!
