Cigarettes at my local deli are now $8/pack. Will price that get people to stop smoking?
The deli is outside a housing complex for the poor.
I think what will make people stop more than anything else is the fact that they are outlawing it just about everywhere; restaurants, college campuses, even in some places you cannot smoke in your own car with the window down. The 8 bucks a pack is also incentive, the amount of smokers have decreased drastically compared to even 20 years ago. I used to smoke as a teenager ( I was "cool") and I remember that it was 2.40 a pack… so in just a few years the prices have skyrocketed!
November 7th, 2009 at 4:00 am
We can only hope….but I am sure there will be some who won’t bulk at the price…I think the price for cigarettes should be at least $10/pack….It is a disgusting habit….
References :
November 7th, 2009 at 4:30 am
Depends how addicted they are. The guy who only smokes at the bar or playing poker with his buddies will probably quit much quicker. The ones smoking a pack or 2 a day may cut back a little but will still smoke. These people will smoke til they die.
The key is stopping new people from starting up. Its going to be a long time before it goes away completely.
References :
November 7th, 2009 at 4:35 am
I think what will make people stop more than anything else is the fact that they are outlawing it just about everywhere; restaurants, college campuses, even in some places you cannot smoke in your own car with the window down. The 8 bucks a pack is also incentive, the amount of smokers have decreased drastically compared to even 20 years ago. I used to smoke as a teenager ( I was "cool") and I remember that it was 2.40 a pack… so in just a few years the prices have skyrocketed!
References :
November 7th, 2009 at 5:22 am
I hope so……I hate the smell of cigarettes smoke….but I sure miss those Deli in NY………….
References :
November 7th, 2009 at 5:51 am
in the land of low taxs Virginia you [not me] can get butts 2.35 a pack…even name brands are less than 3 dollars…
References :
pedro in SW Virginia…moved from LOng Island
November 7th, 2009 at 6:15 am
Very likely.
The price of cigarettes has a very, very high correlation with lowering cigarette use.
Many people to place their addictions over all other things. But increasing costs lowers the number of new users, prompts more people to quit, and tends to just leave the absolutely most addicted and people who really want to smoke and are willing to pay any price to do so.
The link in the source below contains plenty additional information.
References :
http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/research/factsheets/pdf/0021.pdf
Page 2 of 3 contains a chart that makes the effect blatantly obvious.
November 7th, 2009 at 6:50 am
The most addicted people will forgo putting gas in their car (truck?) before they will knock their habit. I do believe higher prices will keep people from starting though.
It may well have a backwards effect too–that is, the price goes up and it becomes a mark of high status, a luxury, and could possibly encourage some of the wealthier folk to take up the habit. Not very likely, but possible in some places.
References :
November 7th, 2009 at 7:20 am
For the people who are not addicted, it will mosty likely be an effective deterrent.
Cigarettes are made to be addictive so for those who are already addicted, the cost isn’t going to stop them. Sounds like the deli is cashing in on this.
References :