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<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   Who smokes most Overall, 16.41 percent of people in Snohomish County smoke. Here's a breakdown by age, provided by the Snohomish Health District: 18-29: 22.25 percent 30-44: 15.9 percent 45-64: 16 percent 65 and older: 8.63 Need help quitting? For more information or help quitting, call the state Department of Health's tobacco quit line at 800-784-8669 or go to www.quitline.com.   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Tuesday, January 6, 2009 Smokers' struggle to quit is even harder during tough times By Sharon Salyer Herald Writer The state Department of Health is targeting part of its anti-smoking campaign this year at low-income households, where people smoke at far higher rates than the general population. In households with an annual income of $25,000 or less, 32 percent of adults smoke, said Tim Church, a state Department of Health spokesman. The statewide average for adults is 16.5 percent, he said. The push to try to get low-income people to stop smoking comes at a time when a Washington, D.C.-based anti-tobacco group says that tough economic times are making it even harder for people to quit. A survey by the American Legacy Foundation found that economic pressures are causing smokers to smoke even more, said Dave Dobbins, the organization's chief operating officer. The increase in smoking was far higher in women than men, the survey found, with 31 percent of female smokers saying they had stepped up their habit compared with 17 percent of men, he said. Dr. Gary Goldbaum, health officer for the Snohomish Health District, said he wasn't surprised by the findings. "The fact is, during times of stress, people return to using those things in their life that give them immediate pleasure, be that alcohol, tobacco or, for some people, eating." In January, when people make resolutions to improve their health, is when calls to the state's toll-free "quit line" traditionally are high, Church said. That's why state health officials are trying to get the word out on what help is available. This includes free nicotine patches or gum to people who are willing to have their progress tracked with calls from the quit line, he said. "If ever there was a good time to quit, certainly with the economic situation we're in, it makes good sense to quit and save money," Church said. The price of cigarettes in Washington generally runs between $5 and $6 a pack. Health officials are now working on a strategy for how best to get out the message to low-income households that help is available, he said. During recent meetings with smokers in Tacoma and Wenatchee, "a lot of what we heard fit into the national study," Church said. "A lot of people said that stress drives them to smoking." Eight years ago, the state established a toll-free number for people to call who want help to quit smoking. Typically about 15,000 calls are logged each year. While the final tally isn't yet available for 2008, the number is expected to hit 20,000, Church said. Dr. Ron Green, a pulmonologist and smoking cessation specialist at The Everett Clinic, said the effects of nicotine -- which can both boost people out of depression and relax them -- are often what keeps people addicted to cigarettes. "If that person is tired and fatigued, it perks them up," Green said. "If that person is stressed-out and high-strung, it relaxes them and calms them down." One of the biggest barriers to quitting is anxiety and stress, he said. So it isn't surprising that in tough economic times "it makes a lot of sense that people are relapsing and having a harder time quitting," he said. Smokers often try to quit seven to 10 times before successfully kicking the habit, Green said. Both a commitment to quit smoking and changing the daily patterns associated with smoking, such as lighting up while driving, can help, he said. Medications, such as a nicotine patch, can be very effective in helping people quit, Green said. "So the whole key to helping somebody quit is to get on medication to prevent the drug withdrawal," he added. "It's not a matter of willpower. It's a horrendous addiction." Reporter Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486 or salyer@heraldnet.com. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

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