If smoking cessation (patch, gum, etc.) were cheaper, would more people quit?
I quit smoking 5 years ago (cold turkey) and I know it’s hard for many people to kick the habit. But the smoking cessation products are very expensive. Many people, especially those who are on a fixed income I’m sure can’t afford these things, or the cost is a serious deterrent to quitting.
My question is: if they were cheaper, do you think more people would quit? Do you think the government or other agencies (nonprofit groups, retailers, etc.) should step in and perhaps offer rebates or other incentives so people have more incentive and help quitting?
I think if the government cares about the health of its people and the environment they should offer assistance to people to help them to quit, after all there is help out there to get people off drugs, and cigarettes are more addictive than cocaine or heroin.
If you have any thoughts or insights about this topic, feel free to answer. Thanks, everyone!
http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/health_effects/index.htm
moderndaydrifter, thanks for the info. For those interested, here are a few links to the news story:
http://www.kwwl.com/News/index.php?ID=19943
http://www.kcci.com/news/14954110/detail.html
http://www.iowaindependent.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1816
http://www.nysmokefree.com/newweb/default.aspx
(they offer a free starter kit for NY state residents.)
http://nicorette-gum.samplesclub.com/
(here’s a link for a free 100 pc. sample of gum)
Everyone, I urge you to contact your state representatives, if Iowa, Maryland and New York have these programs, we may be able to get them elsewhere. Thanks!
