Writer Says Quit Smoking For A Pay Raise

by Contributor | June 15, 2008 8:32 pm

To the Editor:

I am a Nurse Practitioner who works in a Cardio-Pulmonary Rehabilitation setting. The focus of my work over the years has been largely in the area of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, which is commonly referred to as “Wellness”. Since the 1970’s, health problems that I have witnessed as a result of tobacco use have not changed. What HAS changed is the nicotine content in tobacco products; found to have an additional 10 percent added (presumably) by tobacco companies to keep smokers addicted. Patients with whom I have worked over the years have expressed deep regret that they ever started to smoke, particularly when their health and the health of their loved ones has been affected by their smoking. Currently, our communities are outraged by escalating gasoline prices.

Individually there isn’t too much we can do about that. Driving is a necessity, particularly for those living in rural areas. Cigarettes now cost $1.25 more in tax charged per pack. Someone who smokes 2 packs/ day will now shell out some major cash to smoke. There is without question something that can be done about that. Quitting smoking will alleviate the problem of shelling out a big chunk of one’s paycheck to purchase tobacco. It will also send a strong message to tobacco companies that prey on the vulnerability of so many hard working people. It will decrease the costs of health care for all of us as the ripple effect of better health is realized by people quitting smoking, and whose children do not pick up the habit that has been modeled by their parents.

I lost my own Dad to a terrible, young death as a result of smoking. People who smoke are victims, 70 percent of whom say they want to quit. Help is available through local smoking cessation programs, and the N.Y.S. Smokers’ Quitline at their toll free number (1-866-697-8487) where free counseling and free nicotine replacement products are available.

Patricia Briest
Brewerton

Source URL: https://oswegocountytoday.com/news/fulton/writer-says-quit-smoking-for-a-pay-raise/

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