Many of you know my personal feelings on the issue of smoking or may be able to guess after reading this post. Smoking is a terrible habit that contributes to the #1 and #2 killer diseases in our country, Heart Disease and Cancer. Having championed the cause to ban smoking on hospital campuses in Tulsa and supporting our pledge to do the same here in Louisville, I am still amazed by the number of people that still go out of their way to feed their addiction.
Many people if asked will tell you that they know smoking is bad for them, and that they plan on quitting - someday. In fact, I stopped a team member the other day who was on her way out to have a cigarette (off property of course!) When I asked her about this, she said she is planning to quit, just as soon as she finishes school. Why wait I ask, but at minimum, I'd love to help hold you to your commitment.
Smoking is an addiction, but it is an addiction that can be beat! Having helped support others who have taken up the challenge to quit, I know it is possible. One of my former mangers, Freeda, took up this challenge a couple of years ago. Smoking was literally killing her - she was having difficulty breathing and trying to control other health issues. She took the challenge to quit seriously and gave up smoking cold turkey. Today she is breathing easier, has lost weight, has added years back to her life and kept a few extra hard earn dollars in her wallet in the process!
There are resources all around to help those that are truly serious about quitting the habit. To those that may be reading this and who are wanting to quit, the first step is to make a promise to your self and your health and then tell someone about it. Enlist your friends, family, your boss, or even me in helping to achieve your goal! You'd be amazed at the help and support you will receive along the way. In today's difficult economy, I urge you to take up the challenge and give yourself a raise! Until then, thank you Governor Beshear and don't stop pushing for another 70 cents again next year!
2 comments:
Let me start by saying, I agree completely with you that smoking is a terrible habit. However, it does appear to be a Quick Revenue Generator to me. How will this tax impact the lower income individuals addicted to smoking, who don't have access to the resources to quit smoking or really don't want to quit? Is the State willing to tax Mountain Dew or Soft Drinks to help stop the poor Eastern Ky families drinking Mountain Dew, which is causing their teeth to rot in the name of health? I doubt it.
I really enjoy your blog. It has great information.
Based upon my experience in Oklahoma, I would agree with you that this tax will indeed be a quick revenue generator. In fact, the State is predicting to collect about $160M annually from this increase, so some would say that they are budgeting on the fact that people won't quit! However, in my opinion it has nothing to do with income status, but of determination. For those that are willing, there are many resources and organizations to help those who have the will to quit, regardless of their income status. As to your latter point, I could have predicted that argument. The biggest difference in my mind is that your drinking soft drinks will not cause my teeth to rot, the same can not be said about the effects of second-hand smoke...thanks for your comments!
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