another tobacco price hike +12.5% dec 1st, page-39

Disco Stu

However it is harder to quit than heroin, so if you've never smoked, walk a mile in their shoes.

I have to disagree with the remark.

Quitting cigarettes is mind over matter.
I started in 1981 and quit in 1989. In 1992 I was silly enough to restart and quit several times for a few months at a time until Aug 3 2010. On July 26 2010 I had a cardiac arrest (other reasons...before anyone blames the cigs 100%) at age 44.

I had a few smokes after leaving hospital. I looked at them...thought about how close I came to lights out...considered the blatant disrespect I was showing the ambos and doctors etc who treated me...and quit. I also have a young family. No withdrawal excuses etc. Plain and simply quit. Once you take away 'the me' it's easy to run out of excuses.

Even as a smoker...I always said it's a filthy, expensive, disgusting habit that will impair your health in some degree. The same goes for any pollutant you place into your body.

A curve ball can be thrown your way anytime so I don't fret that every 'bad' thing in life will kill you...but at least try to minimise the odds against you.

As to any government saying the increases are to make one quit...bull dust. If they believe their own spiel then ban them...just like they do with other drugs. Or subsidise quit aids...smokers have paid their share of the costs through their cigarette taxes.