The most well-researched of all the smoking-related chemicals, nicotine, reaches the brain within 10 seconds after intake," the result is "increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, thickening of blood, increased respiration, decreased skin temperature, and a stimulation of the central nervous system (Daly). The cumulative effect? Smokers die an average of 13 to 14 years earlier, are more likely to die from cancer (particularly of the lungs), and are more likely to suffer life-long conditions that affect their lung capacity, the elasticity of their skin, and the overall function of their brain.
Smokers are often addicted to their habit. Because of this, smokers spend an increasingly significant portion of their disposable income on smoking. With an average per-pack price of nearly nine dollars (or more depending upon the state), the fiscal impact of smoking can be very high - that amount includes an average actual cost of the pack of two-dollars with the rest of the price representing various taxes and markups. By increasing the taxes on cigarettes, smokers experience a financial disincentive to smoke - and...
Non-smokers have that much more money available to themselves, their families, and to their communities for spending.
In order to reduce smoking and, to improve the overall health of people, it appears that the increase in financial pressures coupled with a significant drop in the attractiveness of smoking overall seems to have been incredibly effective. Smokers are shortening their lives in very tangible and immediate ways. Helping them stop by making it too expensive is just one of the ways that we can move towards an entirely smoke-free culture.
Works Cited
Associated Press. List of Smoking-Related Diseases Expanded. 24 March 2004. 06 February 2008 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5077308/.
Boonn, Ann. State Cigarette Prices, Taxes, and Costs per Pack. 27 November 2007. 06 February 2008 http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/research/factsheets/pdf/0207.pdf.
Daly, John. Nicotine. 12 January 2005. 06 February 2008 http://www.newdirectionsprogram.com/nicotine.html.
