On Tue, 12 Mar 2013 15:01:29 -0400, Dave Smith
> wrote:



>
>You don't realize that there are some people who don't smoke or who
>limit their tobacco use because of the price?

Never met one. Really, I know people that said "when cigarettes hit
$1 a pack I'm going to quit" and they are now paying $8. I know people
that have gone to generic brands and roll your own, but I don't know a
single person that quite due to price.



> You don't realize that
>some people drink less because they can't afford booze?

I do know one or two that drink less, none that stopped completely
though.




>
>Something seems to have worked because there are far few smokers now
>than there used to be.

Less people are starting. Buying smokes is more difficult for the
under 18 crowd, more cancer education, less peer pressure as there are
less smoking peers to learn from.

> I can tell you that I used to smoke, gave it up
>for a long time, made the mistake of thinking I could have the
>occasional cigarette and then started up again, quit, started again and
>quit again.

Once I quit, that was it. I've been tempted, but I've heard too many
stories of people that after some years tried one cigarette and then
went pack to their old pack a day habit. Sitting here writing about
it, I think a good smoke might be nice and it has been almost 40 years
since I stopped. Too addictive to take a chance.


The last time was helped by the introduction of the
>harmonized sales tax which saw about 70 cents added to the cost of a
>package of cigarettes. It came into effect July 1, about three years
>ago. That was it for me. I didn't buy any more.

Good for you!