Grab for cash not the way
Well 125 days ago I had my last cigarette - after 55 years of smoking. Basically I gave it up because of the horrendous cost and as a retiree I simply couldn't afford it anymore.
I remember a movie they showed us when I joined the Navy all those years ago and they showed the autopsied lungs of a smoker, it didn't stop me, but I remember it as if it was yesterday.
So although I consider the tax impost on tobacco a blatant grab for money, pricing has had a positive effect, in my case - But perhaps it would have been better for the government to have simply banned cigarettes back in the 60's. I am sure that there would be a lot more taxpayers alive paying much more tax than they would have forsaken by banning the sale of cigarettes.
Perhaps a group could lobby for cigarettes to be supplied by licenced outlets to persons born prior to 1970/80 or such so addicted people could be let do what was legal when they started the habit. But no more would this incidious product effect the youth.
Congratulations Pall Mall - 79 days for me after forty years of smoking. Same as you - I became a bit horrified at the cost of a pack a day habit out of retirement income - and wondered why I was spending upwards of $400 per month just to make myself sick. Add a long term hacking cough (not a good look for a woman of 65) into the mix and the decisions was made. Why didn't I make it years ago!? :)
I have quit for 15 days after 42 years of a pack of camels a day. So between the three of us that's 137 years of smoking! When I started it was "38 cents to join the Escort club". It was Kool to smoke and and the dangers were not well enough publicised. I have now resigned from the club. I know I am a nicotine addict and that total relapse will be but one puff away for the rest of my life. So for me, it is one day - or even one hour - at a time. I look forward to being able to claim as many smoke free days as you PaulaB and in turn you too PallMall. Thank you for your posts.