In 2007, there was an average of 22.3% men and 17.4% women who were smokers. If you compare that to 2008, there was an average of 23.1% men and 18.3% women who were smokers. That means that the average percent of smokers had increased within that one year period. This is very mind boggling to some because of the steady increase in the price of cigarettes per pack which now averages $5. Not only does cost affect smokers, but there are also health related risk factors that affect not only the individual but others around them as well who are inhaling the second hand smoke. I am very surprised to see that the percent of smokers had increased during this time period, however, am still feeling certain that with time and with the views of society, smoking may decrease a bit more. I don’t think that smoking will be eliminated completely, but I do think people will kick the habit more with time.
I think that smoking is becoming easier to quit for some because of the fact that there are so many health related risk factors such as lung cancer, emphysema and heart related diseases. I know this girl who used to smoke and I asked her why she quit and she said “after seeing my mom die of emphysema, I decided it was not worth it for me to die the same way, so while I am still young, I decided that I was going to kick the habit”. I have also talked to people about the cost of cigarettes and this one guy stated “Yeah, I pay $5 for a pack of cigarettes, but I am only smoking a half a pack or so a day”. When I added that up, it came to $17.50 a week, $70 a month, and $840 a year. When I see these prices, I think of all the other things I could buy with that money. Now a half a pack a day isn’t bad, but can you imagine if you smoke a whole pack a day or even two packs? One last girl I talked to states “I had to quit because I work in a bar and when I’m not working, I enjoy my time with friends at the bar, and I cannot stand going outside to smoke, especially when it’s cold, so I gave it up”. As you can see with these results, because of the health related risks, the cost per pack, the society saying where and where you cannot smoke is encouraging younger people to quit smoking which will eventually bring this percentage down, I think.
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Ricki- You made great points here. To a point I agree but there is some missing information. I was a bit confused. At the beginning you use the information in 2007 and 2008, but when you are referring to the cost of cigarettes you use todays actual cost not the cost of cigarettes back in those years. During your research did you find an area where it might have stated a reason for the increase? Where these people polled on why they started and when?
ReplyDeleteFor the people that you spoke with. You asked why but did they state if they had recently talked with a doctor about their own health and if they were on the edge of any actual diseases related to smoking? Or did they quit because loved ones had gotten ill?
Overall I enjoyed reading it. Thanks for making such a thought provoking topic.
The statistics in your essay are shocking. Most people do not realize what a problem smoking is, or just how hazardous it is to your health. I work in the medical field and see many patients that smoke. Many have lung or heart disease and continue to smoke. The cost should be enough to deter anyone from smoking. Who can afford cigarettes in todays economy? Smoking is definately a problem in todays world.
ReplyDeleteRickie
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing the amount of people that still smoke with all the known health risks out there.
Stress is a big factor in why people keep smoking and are willing to pay $5 a pack.
I am really impressed by the health insurance companies though. Many offer free or extremely reduced programs to quit smoking.
This is a good overview of the subject. As an ex-smoker myself I can understand all factors listed. Smoking is very addictive and very difficult to quit even with all the help you can receive today. Price of cigarettes just becomes an annoyance to deal with, because it is so hard to quit.If you ask most long time smokers, they will most likely tell you that they want to quit but can not.
ReplyDeleteThis was very thought provoking! I agree with John's comment above, as an ex-smoker I can tell you that quitting was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. You know the statistics but take the risk, and you can see how much its costing you but the idea of quitting is often worse than the dents in your bank account.
ReplyDeleteI liked the details in this a lot, especially the quotation about the mother's death due to emphysema. If I were to give you any advice or feedback it would be this: make sentences a little more concise. There was one that said "...because of the fact that there are so many...'" and I think this was a little too 'wordy'. Other than that, great job! :)
I just wanted to become a better writer I didn't know that I would have to use untapped skills,but you never know any Mr. Lewis hope this becomes a little easier.
ReplyDeleteRickie,
ReplyDeleteGreat topic. Lots of information to find, and always invokes discussion.
I am a former smoker and can honestly say that the price of cigarettes contributed to my decision to quit. That and my son. When you are a smoker though you don't spend much time thinking about the cost, only the pleasure.
The only writing tip I would give would be to pare down your sentences. Contemplate them and than subtract what doesn't necessarily belong. I can relate because I LOVE run-on sentences.
Great job!
Rickie I have to say that I really enjoyed the subject you chose. We can all relate to the material because chances are we are or know someone who is a smoker. Reading your statistics we can do our part to make them stop or at least we can try. You put a personal touch on the paragraph by talking about people that you knew. You also had a comparison of someone who quit and why and someone still smoking and how much it costs, this put more power behind your argument of why people should quit.
ReplyDeleteRickie,
ReplyDeleteThis was an interesting topic to chose. I like how you were down and percise with the informaiton on smokers and why people should quite. Overall, not so bad but a little improve is needed.
I think there's a lot of great content here. My major concern is that it seems like you're running the intro and first body paragraph together. I really don't see a major distinction between the two of them here.
ReplyDelete