PeaceTrain

The New York City Council approved a measure last week to raise the MINIMUM cigarette price to a whopping $13 per pack. Of course there already are cigarettes currently at that price point for sale in NYC but most brands can be obtained for a few to several dollars less per pack. Surprisingly, there are a number of City Council and other city officials who are active admitted smokers and who are supporting this measure. Their position is it will be beneficial to reduce the number of people who start smoking to begin with and be an added incentive to quit for people who already do. Conversely, there are also those who say this will have a disproportionately negative effect on lower income folks who "haven't been able" to quit. What I'd like to see is more widespread education about nicotine addiction, such as what we have available to us through the Joel Spitzer videos. Yes, this information is readily available on line, but one has to be in a particular place to seek it out. The scary quit smoking commercials on TV are so horrifying that when I was a smoker, I'd leave the room or mute the TV when they were on. Maybe they scare some people straight, but not me- I just covered my ears and hummed a tune. Also all the federal, state and local programs that assist with quitting advocate NRT as the route to "kicking the habit" when we all know here that cold turkey has by far the highest success rate (and that it's way more than a "habit"- it's a deadly addiction.) These NRT programs help to perpetuate the myth that nicotine addiction is almost impossible to overcome and that people need all the "help" they can possibly get to successfully quit. What would YOU like to see to help people escape from the death trap? P.S. On a selfish note, I'm glad I don't have to care about the price of cigarettes.

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NOPE

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Popcorn

I hereby commit to one year on this board, staying quit right through. And beyond. I appreciate the direct support from all of you and the implicit support gained from helping others.

Lurkers, this is the voice of experience speaking. Hark! The time for action is now!

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I'm eagerly awaiting tonight's episode. This show challenges your assumptions and slaughters your expectations so I wouldn't count on anything.

Welcome aboard Jimmy! I've only been on this train a couple of months but it's been a great ride and it's going places I've never been before. I'm excited about the journey. KTQ!

Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry

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They lost; you won

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-8

Do you recall what was revealed

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I'm hearing Bakon loves eggs...

-6

No, when I was a smoker I wouldn't have wanted to talk about someone else's successful quit. That would have been uncomfortable on so many different levels. Great for you that you're succeeding, Jack! The feelings you're having now, you're right, will pass. The benefits of keeping quit will expand and endure. KTQ!

'Cause the players tried to take the field