Smoking Worst Health Habit of Those on Medicaid [how do "poor" people afford cigarettes?]

Gallup ^ | April 4, 2013 | Elizabeth Mendes

[grundle]

Smoking Worst Health Habit of Those on Medicaid

Thirty-six percent of adults whose primary health insurance source is Medicaid say they smoke -- making them 21 percentage points more likely to report the habit than those with employer-based insurance, and 17 points more likely than the overall adult average. Smoking appears to be the main health habit that this group struggles with disproportionately -- they are about as likely as others to exercise frequently and eat healthily.

[boop]

I see intersection beggars all the time.

The other day I saw a guy with his rumpled cardboard sign smoking a cigarette.

Dude! You're NOT going to get many sympathy bucks when cigarettes are $8 a pack.

Better to get a dog.

Those bums make bank.

[Veto!]

We all haveto take drug tests for JOBS, let them take tests for their BENEFITS that come from govt confiscating money from others.

The problem with your idea is, IT MAKES SENSE. Therefore, will never happen.

[9YearLurker]

And they can’t accumulate cash assets or their benefits will get cut.

[W.]

A former neighbor used to get cigs and beer on his food card from a carryout up the street, but at double the retail cost. Also just south of here is another ‘establishment’ who I hear does the same thing. Both are owned by Americanized ragheads.

[clearcarbon]

"How do "poor" people afford cigarettes? "

Subsidized little amigo blunts?

[dila813]

They are earning in the gray economy

[exPBRrat]

They buy other useful commodities, like liquid Tide soap, and barter/sell them for cash or cigarettes. Often times in EBT card communities untaxed cigarettes can be acquired pretty easily.

[puppypusher]

Being a working stiff,I can’t afford the cost of cigarettes or the time off to care for smoking induced illnesses.

I’m to busy doing my part for all of Oboma’s unidentified illegals pouring into this country.

[Awgie]

Bums love cigs booze and sodas. Comfort food for idiots.

[KosmicKitty]

If I don’t have to buy my own food, pay my own rent, pa for my own medical care, then I can spend the money I have on other things - cigarettes, booze, pot, lottery tickets, you know, the important things in life.