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Another reason to quit smoking in 2005

Danny McGoldrickCampaign for Tobacco-Free KidsWashington, D.C.

If you need another reason to make this the year they quit smoking, here it is: As of New Year’s Day, Colorado’s state cigarette tax will increase by 64 cents, bringing the state tobacco tax to 84 cents per pack and the average cost of a pack of cigarettes to $3.85.That means buying one pack per day for a year will cost more than $1,400. According to this year’s U.S. Surgeon General’s Report on The Health Consequences of Smoking, we now know that smoking harms virtually every organ in the body. In addition to lung cancer, heart attacks, and stroke, cigarette smoking has been found to cause coronary heart disease, ulcers, and cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney and pancreas.However, there is good news – quitting smoking has immediate and long-term health benefits, regardless of your age, or how long and how much you’ve been smoking. Making the decision to quit is hard. Fortunately, today smokers don’t have to rely on willpower alone. Research shows that seeking support can help smokers significantly increase their chance of quitting successfully. This help may come from family and friends, health care providers, counseling programs, or through medication such as the nicotine gum, patch or lozenge. Coloradoans who want to stop smoking can get immediate help by calling the Colorado Quitline at 1 (800) 639-QUIT (1-800-639-7848) where they can get free advice and counseling on how to stop. The Quitline is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Colorado smokers can also get help online at http://www.co.quitnet.com. Most smokers want to quit and the tax increase may be the impetus for many to finally make a quit attempt. Every smoker deserves the emotional, practical and medical support they need to do so successfully.


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