Hi there. My name’s James Hurman, I’m from Auckland, New Zealand, I’m thirty years old and I’m selling my smoking habit on the internet.
I’ve smoked cigarettes for twelve years and I’ve tried all the usual ways to quit smoking. Now that my wife Annabel and I are pregnant with our first child, it’s time to give up once and for all.
I’ve created a listing on the New Zealand online auction site trademe.co.nz, and on Monday 31 March, 2008, the highest bidder will receive a contract written by my lawyer, Chris Hoquard at Dominion Law, in which I hand over my right to smoke to them, and agree to pay them a forfeit of NZ$1000.00 per cigarette that I smoke at any time following the auction’s closure.
As far as I know, this is the first time somebody has sold their smoking habit.
I will donate the proceeds from the auction to the Cancer Society of New Zealand.
You can view the auction here.
I’d like to encourage everyone to make a donation to the Cancer Society of New Zealand here.
And just to be 100% clear, I’m not suggesting that the person who buys this contract should take up smoking in my place. This is a way for me to quit smoking by, essentially, giving somebody a way to fine me if I ever smoke again. As per regular health warnings I personally advise against smoking cigarettes!
You can contact me at smokinghabitforsale@gmail.com
11 March, 2008 at 7:20 pm
GOOD FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!! Hope this idea catches on and wish you all the best as you improve your future and the future of your family!
GO For It!!!!
ps
I hear vitamin C’s make a good snack and help to get the toxins out of your system when you start the detox ; )
11 March, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Hi James,
At 40 years of age & after 20 years of smoking 30 per day I gave up last October and think you’re idea is great.
I’ll be bidding!
Drew
11 March, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Good on you James! I gave up ‘Cold Turkey’ on my Honeymoon (Feb. 1980). after smoking 15 yrs, (I was 13 yrs old when I started). Now I am a gym ‘Junkie’, people say I look 10 - 15 yrs younger than I am, (sorry, can’t help but brag!!!). Keep focused on your bubbie to come & look at how meat is preserved ie sun & smoke, then brain wash yourself by laughing at how pathetic & sad smokers look, (the way the hold the smokes & blow the pollution into the air!). I have now been married 28 yrs & have 2 grown sons I am a Karitane Nurse & work as an International Nanny (smoking definatly not allowed). Collect the extra dosh for a yr & then the 3 of you can go on holiday to somewhere you have always wanted to go. Don’t replace the smokes with food (& get fat!) You can do this - ok! Good luck with the newborn - take lots of photos!!!! Kind regards Elizabeth McNeil
13 March, 2008 at 11:21 am
Hey James! Congratulations on your attempt to quit! I know first hand how hard it can be to quit and you seem to have come up with a very solid plan! Your blog entry has been featured on our blog at http://blogs.rbc.com/rbcp2p/2008/03/as_if_you_didnt_have_enough_ba.html
19 March, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Good on you James! I gave up when I was 30 after realising that I’d been smoking for half my life. I know money’s always a great motivator but if you need a little more help I highly recommend Allen Carr’s “Easy Way to Stop Smoking” book. It explains the psychology of smoking as well as the withdrawal process and I found that information really useful and helpful… especially on boozy nights when temptation calls! Say goodbye to your last cigarette. You can do it! Kind regards, Angela
1 April, 2008 at 10:38 am
Did you manage to sell your habit by last night? It such a cool way to go about quitting. You now have no choice but to give up!
Wishing you, Annabel & Bubbie my very best wishes & luck (not that you’ll need luck, cos you will breeze through this)!!
Kind regards
Elizabeth McNeil