I smoked More Menthol for years and years. Nothing could ever compare to my More's. However, when they were taxed up to $50 a carton, I soon aquired a taste for menthol tobacco in bags.
Posted on 01/08/2003 11:47:08 AM PST by SheLion
Research Shows Cigarette Price Hikes and Anti-Smoking Legislation Have Had Positive Impact on Quitting Rates
PITTSBURGH, Jan. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- More than ever, a significant number of Americans resolved to ring in a smoke-free New Year when the clock struck midnight on December 31st. Leading economic researchers say this surge can be attributed to two key factors: cigarette price hikes and smoking ban legislation, which have taken hold in numerous states across the country.
"The data are clear. Higher cigarette prices, including those resulting from cigarette excise tax increases, have led to reductions in cigarette smoking," says Frank Chaloupka, Ph.D., director of the Health Policy Center and Professor of Economics at the University of Illinois at Chicago. "Our research finds that every 10 percent increase in cigarette prices reduces the number of people who smoke by approximately two percent; and that a permanent 10 percent increase in cigarette prices would reduce the average duration of smoking by about 10 percent."
Dr. Chaloupka, whose findings have been cited in anti-smoking ballot measures in a number of states, found that reductions in smoking resulting from higher cigarette taxes are furthered when states use the revenues to fund behavioral support programs to assist quitters . Moreover, investigators note that the recent cigarette price hikes have led to significant increases in the demand for stop smoking nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) such as the nicotine patch, gum and lozenge, which have been shown to significantly increase a smoker's chance of quitting successfully.
"Cold turkey has about a 95 percent chance of failure," says Steven Lamm, M.D., clinical assistant professor of medicine at New York University. "There are safe and effective FDA-approved products like the NicoDerm® CQ® nicotine patch, Nicorette® gum and the new Commit(TM) lozenge that can help smokers control their cravings and withdrawal symptoms. These tools, combined with support and encouragement from friends and family, have been shown to increase a smoker's chances of quitting successfully."
In addition to cigarette tax hikes, the trend among governmental officials and lawmakers to implement public smoking bans in many cities and states further provide societal support for smokers to quit. In fact, according to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who championed anti-smoking legislation that recently won approval, prohibiting smoking in workplaces, bars and restaurants could save 1,000 lives a year.
Overall, public health advocates and physicians agree that these aggressive state and city anti-tobacco initiatives may provide just the incentive smokers need to resolve to quit once and for all. "Taken together, our findings clearly demonstrate the importance of economic incentives in promoting smoking cessation," says Dr. Chaloupka. He adds that higher cigarette prices and anti-tobacco legislation will lead many current smokers to quit smoking, and when coupled with increased access to cessation services and products, even larger reductions in smoking will result.
GlaxoSmithKline -- one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies -- is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For more information about original, mint- and orange-flavored Nicorette gum, original and Clear(TM) NicoDerm CQ patch, or the new Commit lozenge, visit http://www.quit.com .
(mimicking Richard Dawson) Out of 72,000 people polled, aged 12 and older, what percentage of those 18 and over reported lifetime smoking?
And the suuuurvey says 70%.
According to the survey data collected in 2000 by the Department of Health and Human Services, 47% of adults 18 and over reported smoking at least 100 cigarettes, while a whopping 26% reported smoking within the last month. When including all people who have reported smoking at all, of those aged 12 and up, the numbers jump to 67%, or 148 million Americans.
You sure didn't show it. I'd stand side-by-side with you in any fight...even with real men.
Sam, the government is already going after obesity. Tax The Tubby! They shot the goose that laid the golden egg when they went over the top with cigarette taxes. People who enjoy smoking are not going to quit. Not when there are so many wonderful alternatives to buying this legal product.
But your right: since the states aren't realizing that windfall from the taxes on cigarettes, they will have to go after something else. This money, in their midget minds, has already been spent. It's not coming in, now, they have to go after it somewhere else. Good luck there!
When cigarette sales drop off because the state has gouged the smoker with high taxes, smokers who do not want to quit find better ways to afford this legal product.
But of course, the anti's put the spin on this saying that people are quitting. They are blinder then I thought.
I smoked More Menthol for years and years. Nothing could ever compare to my More's. However, when they were taxed up to $50 a carton, I soon aquired a taste for menthol tobacco in bags.
Check out RYO Magazine for current trends and products.
Smoke cheap--it's your civic duty!! LOL
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