create a mock-up interview of asking a former smoker/alcoholic about financial and legal consequences of smoking and drinking
Answer (1)
Mock-Up Interview: Financial and Legal Consequences of Smoking and DrinkingInterviewer: Good day! Thank you for joining us today. Can you introduce yourself and share a little about your past experiences with smoking and drinking?Former Smoker/Alcoholic: Good day! I’m Juan, and I was a smoker for 15 years and a heavy drinker for almost a decade. It took a lot of effort to quit, but I’m glad I did.Interviewer: That’s inspiring to hear. Let’s start with the financial aspect. How much did you spend on cigarettes and alcohol before you quit?Former Smoker/Alcoholic: I didn’t realize it at first, but when I added it all up, I was spending around ₱3,000 to ₱5,000 per month on cigarettes and alcohol combined. That’s about ₱60,000 per year—money I could’ve used for savings, investments, or my family’s needs.Interviewer: Wow, that’s a significant amount! Did your smoking and drinking habits affect other financial aspects of your life?Former Smoker/Alcoholic: Definitely. Since drinking often led to late-night hangouts, I also spent extra on food, transportation, and sometimes even unnecessary purchases. Plus, I had more frequent health issues—coughs, infections, and even hospitalization once, which added to my medical expenses.Interviewer: That makes sense. Now, let’s talk about the legal consequences. Did you ever encounter any legal problems related to smoking or drinking?Former Smoker/Alcoholic: Yes. I once got caught smoking in a no-smoking area, and I had to pay a fine. Also, I was involved in a minor drunk driving incident, which cost me legal fees and a temporary suspension of my license. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but it was a wake-up call for me.Interviewer: That sounds like a tough situation. Were there other legal restrictions that affected you?Former Smoker/Alcoholic: Yes. The government has been strict with higher taxes on cigarettes and alcohol, making them even more expensive. Also, liquor bans in certain areas and times affected my drinking habits. These laws aim to protect people, but for someone addicted, they just felt like extra burdens—until I realized they were actually pushing me to quit.Interviewer: That’s a great perspective. If you could give advice to those who still smoke or drink excessively, what would it be?Former Smoker/Alcoholic: I’d say think about your future—financially, legally, and health-wise. It’s not just about the money you waste or the fines you might pay. It’s also about the opportunities you miss because of addiction. If you can quit now, you’ll thank yourself later.Interviewer: Thank you for sharing your story! Your insights will surely help others make better choices.Former Smoker/Alcoholic: Thank you, too! I hope more people realize the true cost of smoking and drinking before it’s too late.
