Alloa Advertiser | News | We've given up smoking

Monday, 12th May, 2008

Published: Wednesday, 7th May, 2008 12:00

We've given up smoking – and got a new car!

By Nicola Findlay

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Regular smokers Gary and Samantha Blues saved so much money by kicking their habit that they can now afford to run a new car.

A CLACKMANNAN couple are steering their lives in the right direction after quitting smoking.

Gary and Samantha Blues both smoked for more than 20 years and struggled to quit the habit.

However, thanks to the support of the Clackmannan Smoking Cessation Clinic, they are now smoke free – and have been able to afford a new car with all the money they’ve saved!

Samantha told the Advertiser, “The car’s a real bonus and I have seen a big difference in my health since I stopped smoking too.

“I don’t feel out of breath after climbing a set of stairs, and I’ve also joined a gym.”

Gary and Samantha chose a Dodge Calibre just over a month ago, and they are hoping to get another car within the next few months.

They each used to smoke between 20 and 30 cigarettes a day, spending around £100 per week on their habit.

Samantha runs her own hairdressing salon in Grangemouth – Samantha Blues Hairdressing – and is due to open a new salon in Clackmannan in August.

She is the only colour specialist for L’Oreal in the area, and has been given exclusive rights by Toni and Guy to sell their products in her salons.

The couple’s old car proved to be less than reliable for Samantha, who regularly travels to Glasgow to attend seminars and also teaches in other hairdressing salons.

“The old car wasn’t the most trustworthy in the world, and it wasn’t very reassuring not knowing if you were going to make it to where ever you were going,” Samantha told the Advertiser.

Both of them had tried to stop before and failed – but the incentive of a new car certainly did the trick.

Gary explained, “We both smoked since we were teenagers and had used patches and chewing gum to try to give up but only managed to stop for a month or so before we started again.

“Samantha was first to go to the smoking cessation class in October last year, and then I went along in January.

“The car was definitely a good incentive as we aren’t spending any more money than we were when we were smoking, and the money is being put to much better use.

“I am looking to get another car fairly soon. Even running two cars with petrol and insurance, we will be in the same position financially as we were when we were smoking.”

The couple are also able to spend more time with their three children – 12-year-old Sam and their two-year-old daughters Karis and Kenzie.

“I would say it has definitely been worth giving up smoking,” said Samantha. “Our health has improved and the children aren’t going into a car which smells of cigarettes anymore.”

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