In the UK the tax on cigarettes is 16.5% of the retail price plus £6.69 on a packet of 20, meaning I am paying around £8.59 of tax per pack and as I get through two packs a day that comes in at £120.26 a week or £6,253.52 a year.
I am able to work a few hours a week to boost my budget which varies in payment from month to month but if I earn over £455 my Universal Credit is slightly reduced.
But with the cheapest pack of fags selling for £11.50 in the UK, it isn’t a cheap habit and some months can see me spending a whopping £713 on cigarettes alone.
But Universal Credit is my main source of income as a carer for my disabled boyfriend and the fact I am unable to work full time due to my psychosis.
I blow £700 of my benefits on fags but don’t judge me – I cost less than single mums MY FIRST thoughts on waking are: “Cigarettes.
