TOBACCO, TEENS AND TAXES

Now that cigarettes cost more than $8 per pack, those pack-a-day buyers are spending over $3,000 a year. In June, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene began a campaign to remind of how they could otherwise spend their money.
“Daycare, laundry, vacation, shopping spree, college funds…”
However, New Yorkers did not seem to need much convincing. According to data from the city’s 3-1-1 line, more than 2,700 New Yorkers called for help to quit smoking during the week of the price increase, more than tripling the number of calls recorded the same week of the previous year.
Working with dozens of organizations across the city, the Health Department distributed free nicotine patches to about 1,600 smokers on June 3, the day of the tax increase.
“Most smokers want to quit,” said Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, NYC Health Commissioner. “And the extra push of a higher price results in many smokers stopping smoking forever. Thanks to this measure, tens of thousands of New Yorkers will live healthier lives.”
Data released on July 10 by the Health Department showed that increasing the price of cigarettes is the most effective way to motivate New Yorkers to quit. Earlier this year, the department announced that tax increases in 2002 contributed to a 21 percent drop in adult smoking over five years and a 52 percent drop in smoking among New York City high school students.
The department expects that the $1.25 tax increase will save tens of thousands of lives. The $1.25 was the statewide increase, making the tax on tobacco $2.75. There was an additional NYC tax on cigarettes of $1.50.
“We hope that this is an extra push to quit,” said Deputy Press Secretary Sara Markt of the Health Department. “In the past, [taxes have] driven smoking way down in New York City.”
According to Markt, smoking has declined faster in New York City as compared to the national rate. Currently 16.9 percent of residents in the five boroughs are smokers, down from 21.5 percent in 2002.
The department offers tips to make quitting easier. Experts suggest that smokers prepare themselves to quit by making lists of the reasons for quitting and bracing themselves for situations in which they may be tempted to smoke.
Choosing a date by which to quit and getting rid of ashtrays, lighters and all cigarettes help smokers quit. Smoke-free homes and cars are not only healthier for others, but will help smokers to resist cravings.
Smokers can call 3-1-1 for help quitting, free nicotine patches and finding cessation programs in their area.