In tough times, expensive tobacco habit’s tougher to kick

In times of stress, some people find relief by lighting a cigarette.

More and more these days, that stress comes from a financial pinch.

It means the people who can least afford to smoke are doing more of it, health officials say.

In a recent news release, the state Department of Health reported that stress is leading some smokers to smoke even more or abandon plans to quit.

Some former smokers report they’re starting to smoke again because of financial stress, according to a survey by an anti-tobacco nonprofit group, the American Legacy Foundation.

So, health officials aren’t just trying to capitalize on a New Year’s resolution theme in reminding smokers of some state-provided resources.

Washington residents can call the state’s tobacco quit line (1-800-QUIT-NOW, or 1-877-2NO-FUME for Spanish) for free personalized coaching and nicotine patches or gum.

“Clark County Public Health is concerned about smoking rates, particularly in lower-income populations, those with mental illness and those with chemical dependence,” said Theresa Cross, with the agency’s tobacco prevention program.

“We know that these people smoke at higher rates, and have access to fewer resources and social supports to quit. Because of the current economic challenges, it is possible that more people will become low-income,” Cross said.

According to 2007 statistics, 16.5 percent of Washington adults (18 and older) used tobacco; the Clark County rate was one point higher, 17.5 percent.

But smoking rates rise as incomes and educational levels drop. The Washington smoking rate for low-income people is 32 percent — almost double the overall rate. The rate for those with a high school diploma or less is 27 percent.

“There’s never the perfect time to quit, because life is always handing you a challenge. But in tough economic times, people should look at ways to save money,” Cross said.

The income disparity means that more attention and resources should be directed at the most likely smokers, Cross said.

That’s a challenge in itself, said a state official. The people who feel the economic pinch the most and who smoke the most have another distinction.

“They’re the hardest group to reach,” said Tim Church, spokesman for the state Department of Health. “While rates for high-income people continue to drop, we’re really struggling to get rates to drop for those with lower incomes.

“We held focus groups two weeks ago, trying to learn the best ways to motivate and target that lower-income group.”

Even at a pack a day, “They’re costing themselves a lot of money,” Church said.

“At $5.50 a day, that’s almost $40 a week, about $2,000 a year in tobacco. It’s money they could be putting toward a lot different things,” Church said. “They’d not only save money, but improve their health tremendously.”

Tom Vogt: 360-735-4558 or tom.vogt@columbian.com.