Cigarettes are getting more and more expensive everyday, which is something that a smoker can't really stop. Since this addiction already takes a toll on one's money, will this mean that smokers are going to reconsider if they should quit or not?
I think all it does is push smokers to illegal tobacco imports. I've noticed this trend in my country where smokers were complaining about the price of cigarettes. Thanks to globalization and a large increase of foreign nationals who run all sort of businesses, from legal right through to illegal concerns. The sales of illegal tobacco has skyrocketed, causing the established cigarette companies to launch campaigns to quash these.
I think it's quite hard for them to pinpoint the exact cause of smoking cessation as there are many campaigns going on at any given time. It is a tricky angle as people are already addicted and are essentially 'captives' to the addiction. I do think it helps to give people a push to quit. It must be really tough for very low income families who have smoking parents though. Apparently there is a black market for cheap cigarettes in my country but I have never actually heard of anyone purchasing them personally. The media has been talking about it a bit recently though.
I'm certain that smart entrepreneurs the moment they notice they can make a lot of money selling cheaper cigarettes they'd find ways to smuggle in them in and sell them in the black market. Since the government wants to collect some taxes even if the prices are hiked, they won't be raised so high that smokers have to find cheaper alternatives. IMHO, making cigarettes more expensive will not force smokers to give up the vice.
Cigarettes are very expensive her and it hasn't discouraged people from smoking. I think smoker would buy cigarettes no matter what the cost is. My finance smokes a pack a day and they are costing a little for $12 a pack her now so that is quite a monthly expense. They are always going up in price!
Many thought that increasing the prices of cigarettes was the right way to go in order to convince smokers to stop smoking. For some, it may have worked but for many it was quite the opposite. Smokers in my area were often times driving to the nearest Amerindian reserve to buy cheap cigarettes. I remember my grandfather smoking even more because of these low-cost cigarettes. Therefore, I don't actually attribute the ever growing number to people who stop smoking to the increased prices. The programs / support / medication /are the real solution. -LoyalServant
My stepbrother's biological mother has always been a really bad smoker, and the higher prices have made this a really sore topic in the family. She continues to buy expensive cigs despite her low income, and this resulted in her not being able to buy him any birthday presents this last year. Most people factor in some sort of luxury into their budget. Whether it's Starbucks coffee, video games, or a trip to the spa, you generally account for some frivolous spending. I don't think the increased price will affect that many people.
Depends on your connections. I think it will push some people to quit. Others are more likely to just bite down and pay the extra, or turn to black market imports for their craving. The latter is more dangerous, too, because you don't know what is in the cigarettes you're using. Not that regulated cigarettes are terribly safe, but you know what I mean. I can't think of a really good way to effectively curtail cigarettes. The nicotine lobby is just too powerful. (Watch John Oliver on YouTube if you want a good story about the cigarette industry.) Regardless, raising the price doesn't seem like the best answer.
Nope, there will always be cigarette smugglers who sell low-quality cigarettes for a low price, so I don't think this is a very good idea. The groups of people who benefit the most from this are manufacturers and smugglers. I was never influenced by money when I was quitting, but rather by my own health.
I think the taxation and prices have encouraged many people to quit. However, like any drug an addiction is not easy to kill and the price may not help the process, no matter how much you want quit.
I would always say to people, if the price goes up again then I'm quitting. The price would go up again, I would cut down a bit and think about quitting but then would just get used to paying the prices. I think it does discourage people to an extent but addiction is addiction. High prices did deter me a bit but for those who use real cigarettes, there are cheaper alternatives such as rolling tobacco or even buying cigars individually.
It depends of whether or not they will want to smoke quality cigarettes. In my country, there is quite a large network of cigarette smugglers. They are so well organized that, unless their shippings are stopped by the customs, nobody every will catch them. And truth be told, it's quite easy to bribe 2-3 officers and enter of country filled with cigarettes. However, they have an extremely low quality, but are also two or even three times cheaper than the regular ones.
Oh yes, I know about them. They're mostly in rural places near the cities, and they rarely get caught. Still, those prices will rise too and those cigarettes are unhealthier than the regular ones. I can't imagine anyone smoking those religiously, they'd get really sick.
I doubt it. The price of cigarettes and tobacco has been rising steadily over the years and people still continue to smoke. The addiction is that strong that smokers will always manage to find money for cigarettes. I would go without food some days, sio I could have a packet of smokes.
Well, it would certainly affect me. I think this is part of the reason people are turning to vaping and E cigs. The cost is less overall, and those who want to quit actual cigarette smoking, can find an alternative that may be cheaper and may help them get off tobacco permanently. I had to buy cigarettes one time as part of a study and the cost was shocking!
I think that there could be an increase of those who will think about quitting when the prize become so high. They will have a second thought if they will buy cigarette or other necessity like foods.
I know some people I work with who smoke have talked or have quit because of the high prices. But I see a lot of illegal contraband cigarettes now too, so clearly making them more expensive also encourages it's black market manufacture and sale.
well, I dont think so. I live in Norway and the prices has risen a lot as of late. it`s now about 14,50$ for a 20 pack. But people still smoke as before. Maybe it`s the good economy, but inflation, tax/VAT price rises, but it does not seem to stop smokers. Cigarettes is to addictive i think, Dont think it resonates with peoples wallets that much. On a bad day, i would priorytice cigarettes over food i think.
They will continue to use it. It just that they will have to shift their spending and spend less on necessities. Addicts won't stop just because the price goes up. They will find a way. Legal or illegal, they will find a way.
Where I live it seems like cigarettes are getting more expensive year by year. I wouldn't say that it necessarily makes people quit - I think finances are one motivator but might not be enough of a pull to get someone to quit entirely. I think it would be more likely that it would lessen how many cigarettes someone could afford to smoke each day.