National Lottery
A recent study by Andrew Clark, of the Paris School of Economics, has found that hitting the jackpot can adversely affect your health. The study, which used data from around 1994 and 2005, found that those who won on games such as the lottery, bingo and casino games, were more likely to drink and smoke more.
Clark suggested; "Much work has shown that, in general, higher income is associated with more favourable health outcomes. Our results nuance this empirical fact."
The Guardian also spoke with Dr Dorothy Rowe, a psychologist, who suggested that if you do hit the jackpot:
“You've got more money to spend on the things you like, which may be alcohol or cigarettes. When you win a big prize, you don't change as a person. A lot of people don't drink much, simply because they haven't got the money. Also, you might think that if you get health problems you will be able to pay your way out of them by going to the best doctors.”
However, while some may go on so-called “binges” such as “Lotto Lout” Michael Carroll, who won £9.7 million in 2002, others have found that their health has improved since winning the lottery, with 27% of people asked losing weight and a further 27% signing up to the gym.
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