To the Readers’ Forum:
The cost of cigarettes is going up on June 3rd. Smokers will now pay a $2.75 tax per pack, up from $1.25 previously.
Now is the perfect time for smokers to quit — for their health. Smoking can cause chronic lung disease, coronary heart disease, stroke and cancer of the lungs, larynx, esophagus, mouth and bladder.
Annual health care costs in New York state directly caused by smoking are $8.17 billion. Over half are Medicaid program costs at $5.4 billion. New Yorkers pay $904 per household on state and federal taxes for smoking-caused government expenditures.
Quitting will give smokers more money in their wallets and most important, improve their health.
The time is now. The New York State Smokers Quitline offers free coaching and quit plans, free nicotine patches, gum and lozenges, free tips and information and free online help. The toll-free Quitline number is (866) 697-8487. More information is available on the Quitline Web site at www.nysmokefree.com.
Laurie Kay
Jamestown
