Financial Crisis is Triggering More Smoking!

This article provides very interesting information about how the current economic crisis, which has of course led to higher levels of stress, has tempted snokers across the country to either increase their smoking and/or switch to a cheaper brand of cigarettes:

The American Legacy Foundation -- the nation's largest public health foundation dedicated to reducing tobacco use in the U.S. -- announced that, according to their new survey, 77% of current smokers reported increased stress levels due to the current state of the economy and 2/3 of those smokers say this stress has had an effect on their smoking.

November marks Lung Cancer Awareness Month, a time when smokers might reflect on the life threatening nature of their addiction, yet this new data indicates smokers are suffering more than ever as stress is causing smokers to delay a quit attempt, increase the number of cigarettes they are smoking, or switch to a cheaper brand instead of quitting. Moreover, some former smokers report they are starting to smoke again because of the stress over the financial situation.

Among the survey findings:
1. One in four smokers stressed about the economy say this stress has caused them to smoke more cigarettes per day, higher among women (31%) than men (17%).

2. A greater percentage of stressed smokers with a household income of less than $35k reported smoking more cigarettes per day (38%) due to the current state of the economy, compared to those with household incomes of $35-74k (24%) and those with incomes of more than $75k (13%).

3. A greater percentage of middle-income ($35-74.9k) smokers have delayed their quit attempts because of stress over the economy (20%) than those with household incomes of under $35k (14%).

4. Unemployed smokers stressed about the economy reported smoking more cigarettes per day (29%) in greater numbers than full-time or self-employed stressed smokers (17%).

2,375 U.S. adults aged 18+, of whom 1,347 had ever smoked, participated in the survey. The survey also found economic stress is causing smokers to re-evaluate their buying habits when it comes to tobacco products:

1. 1/5 of smokers stressed about the state of the economy have switched to a cheaper brand to save money.

2. More stressed smokers with household incomes of less than $35k (28%) reported brand-switching compared to those with household incomes of more than $50k (12%). One quarter of those with incomes of $35-$49k reported switching brands to save money.