Now best time for smokers to quit
A recent headline in The Republic interview of smokers and retail tobacco store employees left the impression a 44-cent Indiana tobacco tax increase to 99.5 cents per pack had little impact on quit rates.
On the contrary, smokers and chewers are motivated to quit because of tobacco financial costs. As a tobacco-cessation facilitator through the Healthy Communities Initiative, I polled my current class participants during last week’s two sessions. Without any discussion, they answered nine simple questions.
1. List your Top Five reasons to stop using tobacco.
In no particular order and simplest terms, every participant consistently listed health, money and kids/family.
2. Was your decision to quit using tobacco influenced by tobacco costs?
Yes – 57 percent No – 29 percent Somewhat – 14 percent
3. Was your decision to quit tobacco influenced by the recent hike in Indiana’s tobacco tax?
Yes – 43 percent No – 57 percent
4. Was your decision to quit influenced by the amount of money you’ve spent on tobacco over your lifetime? Yes – 43 percent No – 57 percent
Amazingly many had never consciously thought about this question. Many said they didn’t want to think about it now. Although tough to accurately calculate, the process was eyeopening.
Several participants began smoking when cigarettes were 35 cents, 75 cents or about $1 a pack. It was no surprise that most began their tobacco addiction at ages 13, 15 and 16. Average use was 20 to 30 per day. One participant smoked 50 cigarettes daily. “Best guess” estimates ranged from $8,000 to “$71,978 at 2007 prices.”
How much would you spend on tobacco annually at today’s prices based on your pre–class use? Hovering at $4 a pack, a pack-a-day addiction will cost a smoker $1,460 annually. A twopack-per-day smoker will dish out $2,920 annually, and a 2½- pack daily puffer will muster up $3,650 annually!
One participant noted his spouse also smokes so his household budget would take a whopping $5,110 annual hit for tobacco. Ouch!!!
When tobacco users get serious about their addiction and stop avoiding all the tobaccoabuse factors, they move toward quitting. Emotional responses give way to recognizing the unforgiving health risks, steep medical and insurance costs, and the compromised quality of life. Time off of work sick, running to doctors and spent feeding an unrelenting addiction is too much wasted time — and all come with a dollar cost of its own.
Most smokers are tired of watching their money and lives go up in smoke. They want to quit. Tax hikes are a part of the puzzle in motivating people to action. Indiana recently launched the Time 2 Quit initiative, and a hotline 800-Quit Now (784-8669) to help smokers who can’t go to a class.
Community classes are held monthly through the Wellness Program 376-5033, and free nicotine replacement patches from the Health Department are available to class participants. I’ve had participants who smoked four packs a day and had given up hope to quit on this program.
Other motivators include smoke-free workplace laws and smoke-free public events. Every price increase, enforced underage tobacco sales regulation, youth education school and club program, and every parent who quits or doesn’t smoke helps prevent our youth from ever picking up that first cigarette or plug of chew!
One participant said it best.
“My employer offered me a once-in- a-lifetime opportunity to quit. How could I not take advantage of this!”
He was referring to new health insurance coverage for tobaccocessation medications. His company took it one step further and arranged for eight weeks of company onsite cessation classes with plenty of co-worker participation and support.
A few more incentives to quit — a few more opportunities to move to a healthier lifestyle — an easier way to get needed help and support — another piece of the puzzle in breaking a complicated addiction —another call to action.
No question about it; there’s never been a better time to quit!
Debra Richard is a Columbus resident and a tobacco cessation facilitator through the Healthy Communities Initiative.
Columbus Republic
Facts for Life
- Quit smoking
- Find a local tobacco prevention coalition in my community
- Find which Indiana cities have a smoke free law
- Get my workplace to be smoke free
- Find area restaurants that are smoke free
- Make my apartment building smoke free
- Protect my family from secondhand smoke
- Find more information about the Indiana Tobacco Quitline
- Report a retailer selling tobacco to a youth
