What is your excuse NOT TO STOP smoking? I think that I have heard them all. Here are some of the most common (and some ridiculous actually).
-I can quit anytime. I am not addicted.
-I don’t want to quit because I will get fat.
-I can’t quit because I am not ready.
-I can’t quit because it’s my only vice. After all, it is not that expensive of a habit.
Hold there for a second – the last reason is about to go down the drain. Tobacco taxes are going up this Wednesday, and they increase is touted to be the largest increase ever. This means that smokers are going to get hit big time. In this time of economic troubles, even a small increase is bound to affect purchasers of tobacco. The Associated Press reports:
Tobacco companies and public health advocates, longtime foes in the nicotine battles, are trying to turn the situation to their advantage. The major cigarette makers raised prices a couple of weeks ago, partly to offset any drop in profits once the per-pack tax climbs from 39 cents to $1.01.
Other tobacco products, from cigars to pipes and smokeless, will see similarly large tax increases, too. For example, the tax on chewing tobacco will go up from 19.5 cents per pound to 50 cents. The total expected to be raised over the 4 1/2 year-long health insurance expansion is nearly $33 billion.
While we are all focused on the finances, and smokers are concerned about their habits, I see one good thing here: possible cutback on smoking. And that, in my book, is good for the health. My health included.
Originally posted on March 29, 2009 @ 9:31 pm