Tobacco tax hike hurts the poor

All border states favor North Dakota raising state cigarette taxes from 44 cents to $1.44 per pack, which is approximately a 227 percent state tax increase. As it is, smokers pay in the neighborhood of 50 percent total taxes in all taxes on a $3 pack of cigarettes. It is, in effect, a tax increase on the poor who make up the majority of smokers.

Some may be prompted to quit and others will seek to purchase untaxed black-market and/or Internet cigarettes. Excessive “sin taxes” generally means proportional increase in criminal activity, which mirrors Prohibition.

If smoking is such a threat to our youth and causes premature death at high rates, then it ought to be banned altogether. Why should states garner huge profits through the public sale of a product that is a proven carcinogen? Is it two wrongs making a right or choosing the wrong that is most right?

“Once the camel gets its nose into the tent, soon it is in bed with you.” If excessive sin taxes are going to be used to manipulate behavior (for our own good, of course) ,then there is plenty of sin to go around. Why be selective? How about a 200 percent tax increase on abortion, fast food and obesity, for starters?

Don’t fault tobacco firm for death

A BOSTON jury last week ordered Lorillard, the tobacco company, to pay $71 million as compensation — and another $81 million in punitive damages — for the death of lifelong smoker Marie Evans, who died of lung cancer in 2002. Evans’s son William, a Harvard-trained lawyer, claimed that Lorillard had hooked his mother on cigarettes by giving out free samples of Newports in the Boston neighborhood where she lived as a child in the 1950s and 1960s.


Lorillard denied the allegation, and apparently the only evidence for it was a video-taped deposition in which Marie Evans described how she began smoking at 13. But it doesn’t seem implausible to me. The great majority of smokers take up the habit before turning 18, and even I can recall packs of cigarettes being handed out on Cleveland’s Public Square in the late 1970s.

Yet even if it were true, how can it be just to expropriate tens of millions of dollars from a company for distributing free samples of a lawful product? Why should Marie Evans’s decision to smoke — something she always knew was bad for her health — entitle her son and estate to be showered with money? Reasonable people can debate whether cigarettes, already heavily regulated, should be banned outright. But it is not reasonable to hold tobacco companies liable for the foreseeable risks that smokers assume.

Lorillard never forced or tricked Marie Evans into using cigarettes; she became a smoker willingly. By her own account, she first received those free cigarettes when she was 9, and for years traded them for candy. Plainly it wasn’t Lorillard that eventually got Evans to start smoking; if she could resist the lure of tobacco until she was 12, she could have resisted it at 13.

New statewide survey shows fewer Californians than ever smoke tobacco

When it comes to smoking, more Californians than ever just say no.

Just 13.1 percent of the state's adults smoke tobacco -- California's lowest-ever rate and second in the nation only to Utah, according to statistics released Monday by the state Department of Public Health.

And the numbers in most parts of the Bay Area are even lower. Just 8 percent of adults in Santa Clara County smoke, which was the third-lowest tally in California, the state Tobacco Control Program reported.

"It didn't happen overnight. We have been dealing with tobacco control for years and years and years," said Dr. Marty Fenstersheib, the county's top health officer.

State and local officials attribute much of the success to aggressive public awareness campaigns on the health risks of smoking. More recently, local governments have been firing up smoking bans in parks, hotels and even condominiums.

The county-by-county report released Monday is the most detailed ever. The state examined 2008 data from a telephone survey of 22,225 households. That was followed by extended interviews of 10,397 adults on their smoking habits, history and efforts to quit, among other issues.

The 13.1 percent smoking rate means nearly 4 million Californians regularly light up. The national percentage is far higher: 21 percent, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Smokers take tobacco tax hike in stride

Taranaki smokers are still puffing away on cigarettes, with many unaware of the rising cost of their habit.

A 10 per cent increase in the price of cigarettes and roll-your-owns which came into force on January 1 is having little effect on retail sales in Taranaki – and those consuming.

Will the tobacco price increase make you give up smoking? Post your comments below.

When the Taranaki Daily News surveyed smokers around town yesterday, many people said they did not know about the hike, and that it would still not make them quit.

Louise Spice, 36, has been smoking since she was 14, and said while she knew it was anti–social, it was incredibly hard to give up.

"My closest friends all smoke and I wouldn't say any of them would be worried about the cost. I didn't even know about it."

Owner of Snax in the City, Dragon Cai, said he had to explain to customers why the price had increased.

"They knew last time, but not now. Maybe people will give up because it's too expensive, but it's too soon to tell."

The 10 per cent increase in the tax on tobacco was the second of three jumps, and takes the cheapest pack of 20 cigarettes from about $10 to $12.

The tax was first increased last May and another 10 per cent rise is planned for January 2012.

John Gray, owner of Merrilands New World, said the supermarket had seen no effect on sales from the tax increase.

"They've done it for a reason, but I don't think it has stopped people from smoking as yet. Maybe for the next generation it will, but the older, tried and true smokers, it won't affect them."

It remains to be seen if those smokers will take the hike in their stride, according to Kirsty McLay, owner of Brougham Barbers.

"We're still waiting on the reaction from people. Some of the increases are $6 more."

She said she would measure the effect on sales in a month's time, but it was unlikely to have a large impact on her business.

"We don't make a lot of money on cigarette sales, it's more of a service we're providing people."

Despite the apparent limited impact in Taranaki, the timing of the increase has triggered more smokers to make a New Year's resolution to quit nationwide, according to Quit Group.

Chief executive Paula Snowden said Quit Group had rostered more advisers on and had opened on New Year's Day to respond to increased numbers contacting the service.

Smoking statistics show value of Proposition 99

Here's everything you need to know about. California's grand experiment to reduce smoking:

It appears to be working, although not as well in Humboldt County as elsewhere.

In 1988, voters passed Proposition 99, which increased the tobacco tax by 25 cents a pack and devoted 20 percent of the revenue to prevention. More than $1 billion has been spent since then on an aggressive anti-smoking campaign.

Figures released last Monday by the California Department of Public Health's Tobacco Control Program show that Californians are smoking at the lowest rate in 20 years -- 13.1 percent in 2009 -- which represents a 42 percent decline since the California Tobacco Control Program was established in 1990. Humboldt County has a 17.7 percent rate -- not quite as good, but the numbers still show promise.

The success of these campaigns proves the potential for public information and prevention programs to improve health.

As California enters its third decade of combating tobacco use, CDPH has created a series of new anti-tobacco television ads. The theme of the new ads includes educating Californians about the progress the state has made, the challenges and importance of quitting smoking, the deceptive marketing practices of the tobacco industry and the impact toxic tobacco waste has on the environment.

With the new year upon us, this is the perfect time to quit -- and encourage others to do the same.

Quitting smoking? The state can help

According to the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 17.9 percent of people in New York are smokers, which ranks it 25th in the nation for smoking population.

Quitting cigarettes also ranks in the top three most common New Years Resolutions nationwide year after year. With tobacco prices in New York the highest in the nation, this may just be the year to finally put out the habit. And New York State is willing to help.

Julie Right, program coordinator for the Glens Falls Hospital’s Tobacco Cessation Center said the state is sponsoring a program where they send anyone trying to quit smoking a free two-week supply of nicotine replacement products.

“The idea is when you receive the starter kit from the state you should save the money you would have spent on smoking. When the starter kit runs out, you can use that money to support the rest of your quitting efforts. That way, it doesn’t cost more money to quit, and you have help further than trying to do it cold turkey,” Right said.

And while the Tobacco Cessation Center’s work is primarily with providing health care professionals with resources, Right said she highly recommends the state’s hotline for anyone trying to quit smoking.

“The state’s hotline is linked to all the Smoking Cessation groups, and it’s place where people can call for the starter kit, information on establishing a quitting plan, and local resources. It’s a really efficient tool for anyone trying to quit,” Right said.

The New York State hotline encourages people to call for information whether they are thinking about quitting, ready to quit, or simply in need of additional support with the process. The NYS Smokers’ Quit line can be reached at 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487).

And while new quitters do have a battle ahead of them, Right said the good news is it’s a decision that will drastically improve quality of life.

The American Heart Association reports the risks associated with a tobacco addiction have long made it the number one cause of preventable disease and death in the United States.

The AHA also reports that cigarette smokers have a higher risk of developing several chronic disorders, including fatty buildups in arteries, several types of cancer and chronic lung problems. Atherosclerosis, a buildup of fatty substances in the arteries, is a chief contributor to the high number of deaths from smoking. Many studies detail evidence that cigarette smoking is a major cause of coronary heart disease, which leads to heart attack.

“It’s the only product for sale that when used exactly as directed will kill you,” Right said.

But with all the bad that coincides with tobacco, the benefits of quitting are also quickly realized, with both immediate and long-term effects on health.

The national Centers for Disease Control reports that within 20 minutes of quitting smoking, a person’s blood pressure and pulse rate return to normal. Within eight hours of quitting smoking, oxygen levels in the blood stream rise to normal. Within 24 hours of quitting smoking, heart attack risk already begins to drop. At two days of quitting the senses of smell and taste improve. At three days of no smoking, breathing gets easier and lung capacity increases. Within two weeks to three months of quitting smoking, circulation improves. Within one to nine months of quitting, coughing, sinus problems and shortness of breath decrease and energy increases.

The long-term benefits of quitting smoking are noted increase life expectancy as well as quality of life. The CDC reports that between five to 15 years after quitting tobacco, stroke risk is reduced to that of people who have never smoked. At 10 years smoke-free, the risk of lung cancer drops to as little as one-half that of continuing smokers. At ten years, the risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, and pancreas decreases, as well as the risk of ulcers. At 15 years being smoke-free, the risk of coronary heart disease is similar to that of people who have never smoked, and the risk of death returns to nearly the level of people who have never smoked.

Residents encouraged to report illegal smoking

A healthy, smoke-free workplace is a right.

With the new year comes a new crackdown on illegal smoking in local workplaces and the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge (KKPR) District Health Unit is asking residents to help extinguish the problem by reporting any unlawful smoking activity.

"A healthy, smoke-free workplace is your right, and your call," said Kris Kadwell, tobacco control officer with the Health Unit. "Not only is smoking a health hazard, it can also be a safety issue in your workplace. So if you see smoking in your workplace, report it."

Smoking in all enclosed workplaces in Ontario has been banned since May 2006 under the Smoke Free Ontario Act. The legislation applies to all lobbies, washrooms, parking garages and vehicles such as delivery trucks and taxis that are used by employees.

In the past nine months, the health unit has laid six charges against local workplaces for allowing smoking in prohibited areas and investigated several complaints. In some cases the smoking occurred in washrooms or warehouses and, on occasion, the biggest offender was the boss or owner of the establishment.

"No one is above the law, including a business owner," Mr. Kadwell adds.

"If anything, bosses and managers should lead by example and set the tone to ensure their employees are protected from deadly second-hand smoke. Ultimately, bosses and managers are responsible for ensuring a workplace is smoke-free. If they don't do it, they could be charged and face paying a fine."

According to the Health Unit, cigarettes contain 4,000 chemicals, at least 40 of which are known to cause cancer. Second-hand smoke is a leading cause of death in Canada, and can lead to many health problems.

"We have health and safety laws to protect people from unsafe work environments where there are toxic chemicals," said Lorne Jordan, a tobacco control officer with the Health Unit. "We also have a law that protects employees from toxic second-hand smoke, and we are asking people's help to ensure that workplaces respect and follow the rules."

Health Unit staff can assist workplaces in complying with the Smoke Free Ontario Act and will also investigate complaints. Breaking the law can result in a $305 fine for the first offence, with maximum fines for individuals or corporations reaching as much as $5,000.

For more information, or to report illegal smoking, call the Health Unit at 1-866-888-4577. All calls and complaints are confidential.