NEW YORK CITY – May 28, 2008 –
Season Major League Baseball tickets…$2,025. A quarter- carat diamond
engagement ring…$2,799. A ten-day Caribbean cruise…$1,750. For the 1
million New Yorkers who still smoke, these things could be theirs – if
they quit. Beginning June 3rd, a pack of cigarettes will cost more
than $8, adding up to almost $3,000 a year for the pack-a-day smoker,
and making New York City cigarettes the most expensive in the country.
Mayor
Michael R. Bloomberg has proclaimed June 3rd as ''NYC Quits Day.'' And
starting this week, the Health Department will launch television and
radio ads, special events, and nicotine patch giveaways to urge New
Yorkers to quit June 3rd. The campaign shows New Yorkers what they are
giving up to smoke – from shopping sprees and plasma TVs to day care
and health insurance. New Yorkers can visit www.nyc.gov/quitjune3 or call 311 for more information and help.
''Smoking is costing you your health,'' said Dr. Thomas R. Frieden New
York City, Health Commissioner for New York City. ''But if you need an
extra push to quit, you should know that smoking will now also cost you
almost $3,000 a year. If you quit, the savings could buy you a bigger
apartment, a summer vacation, or, over time, your child's college
education.''
Increasing the price of cigarettes has proven to be the most
effective way of motivating New Yorkers to quit. Tax increases in 2002
spurred a 21% drop in adult smoking and a 52% drop in smoking among New
York City public high school students as the Mayor announced earlier
this year. The new state tax increase of $1.25 is expected to cut the
number of smokers significantly and save tens of thousands of lives.
Five Tips to Make Quitting Easier
- Prepare yourself. Make a list of the reasons for
quitting and plan for situations that may tempt you to smoke.
- Pick a ''quit date.'' Get rid of ashtrays and lighters,
and all cigarettes.
- Make your home and car smoke-free. It is healthier for
others and will help you resist smoking.
- Get support and encouragement. Tell your family,
friends, and co-workers that you are quitting and ask for their support. If
you use medicines to quit, you can double or triple your chances of success.
- Find a ''quit buddy.'' Ask a smoker to quit with you, or find someone who has already quit who you can talk to for support.
The Health Department and its partners are offering nicotine
replacement therapy at no cost on June 3rd. Events are scheduled at
locations throughout the five boroughs (see table below).
June 3rd Nicotine Patch Giveaway Sites
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