With No Smoking Day on March 14 and the smoking ban coming into force this summer, those who are thinking of quiting could also save up to £4,000 on their life insurance premiums.

According to price comparison website, www.moneysupermarket.com, smokers who stub out their last cigarette before NSD will benefit not only their health but their wallets too, with life insurance premiums for non-smokers at half the cost than for their smoking counterparts.

For example, a 35-year-old man wanting life insurance cover for £100,000 over 25 years would pay £19.15 a month with Legal & General if he was a smoker. If he is a non-smoker, he would only pay £8.50 a month ? a saving of 56 per cent or £2,550 over the term. Based on the top five table below, a smoker with Scottish Provident could save over £4,000 over the term.

Emma Walker, head of life insurance at www.moneysupermarket.com said: "In order to be classed as a 'non-smoker' and qualify for life insurance premium savings, insurers insist on smokers having kicked the habit for a full year. The difference in premiums between a smoker and a non-smoker is vast and there are significant additional savings to be made simply by shopping around for the cheapest deal to suit your circumstances."

From July 1, 2007, smoking will be banned in all enclosed public places in England such as offices, factories, pubs and restaurants, making it likely more smokers than usual will take this year?s No Smoking Day as a prompt to kick the habit. With www.moneysupermarket.com?s term assurance service on its website, customers can easily and quickly compare the available life insurance policies and see the best deals in moments.

Emma Walker said: "More than 2.8 million people are expected to give up smoking because of the new law*, so if you?re keen to give up this year, you should find plenty of support from others in the same position. While smokers often benefit from a higher income from pension pay-outs in retirement due to lower life expectancies, most people value the health and lifestyle benefits of quitting early, and half price life insurance could simply be the icing on the cake."