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Tobacco statistics ‘disheartening’

Posted 1/3/11

To the Editor: In response to your recent article entitled “Tobacco Use In County Stops Drop” (Dec. 22-28). I found the statistics you cited in the article to be disheartening. It is really too …

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Tobacco statistics ‘disheartening’

Posted

To the Editor:

In response to your recent article entitled “Tobacco Use In County Stops Drop” (Dec. 22-28). I found the statistics you cited in the article to be disheartening.

It is really too bad that kids are still choosing to take up smoking even though vast amounts of research show the terrible effects it has on one’s health and well-being.

It seems that the message is out there that smoking will kill you, yet the addictive power of nicotine keeps smokers going back for another pack or carton. If there is something that we can do to reduce the likelihood that kids will take that first puff of a cigarette, then I see no reason why we would choose not to take action.

For too long the tobacco companies have put unnecessary strain on our health and economy. I read that New York State spends $6.3 billion annually to cover the costs of smoking-related illness.

It’s a pity that so many people are being ensnared by nicotine addiction in their youth. Statistics show that 90 percent of those who commence smoking in their teens are still smoking into their 50s.

If only young people realized what age will tell, they would avoid so many hazards to their future. If we can prevent kids from starting, the health care costs will take care of themselves.

Walter C. Lacks

Norwood