As it’s become harder to find places to smoke over the past few years, more Kansans have smoked. At least that’s what seems to have happened, judging from a new Kansas Department of Health and Environment report. The number of adults who smoke cigarettes in Kansas rose from 17.8 percent in 2005 to 20 percent in 2006, after three years of declines. The increase is small statistically, but the reversal of the trend is significant — and should give lawmakers pause as they formally conclude the 2008 legislative session today without having passed a proposed statewide smoking ban or 50-cent cigarette-tax increase. Lawmakers should give both ideas another look next year. Meanwhile, the KDHE report suggests, 3,900 Kansans will die this year from smoking-related illnesses such as heart disease, lung cancer, emphysema, bronchitis and oral cancer, as smoking-related Medicaid bills cost the state $196 million.
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46 Comments
The nicotine in tobacco has well-known anti-depressant effects. It has the same MAOI effect as drugs used to treat depression.
If more people are stressed and harried by fewer opportunities and more work for less money in this Bush economy, it’s not surprising they would self-medicate with nicotine.
Just make the nicotine patches stronger and sell them at Quicktrip for a reduced price. Less if you buy the patches by the carton.
I’ve never been able to keep the patches lit.
“I’ve never been able to keep the patches lit.”
That’s your problem.. they’re suppositories! Aren’t they??
“they’re suppositories! Aren’t they??”
I’ll let you know in a minute.
I think I’m doing it wrong.
“they’re suppositories! Aren’t they??”
Of course they are, but you have to light them first. DUH !!!!
Just don’t light the filtered end of the suppositories Fleettwood, it gives it a bad taste.
The sad fact is their are busy bodies who have nothing better to do than worry about what people do in their personal lives. Do I smoke? No. Do I care id someone somewhere might be lighting up? again NO.
“Of course they are, but you have to light them first. DUH !!!!”
That’s why John Wayne walked the way he did, it took him years to finally quit smoking!
What’s that smell?
“What’s that smell?”
Wrong orifice!
As they say in real estate, “location is everything!”
Somebody call 911. My ass is on fire.
I don’t think getting ‘hosed’ is a solution fleettwood, try the fire extinguisher.
“Somebody call 911. My ass is on fire.”
See- you’re not thinking about smoking! The cure is already starting to work! Just give it some time , and unfortunately, a lot more scar tissue and you’ll be fine (sort of).
And how about those high notes!!
Let’s hope that he doesn’t have to clear his “throat” (cough) …
“The number of adults who smoke cigarettes in Kansas rose from 17.8 percent in 2005 to 20 percent in 2006″
Kansans aren’t particularly known for doing what’s in their best interests.
I have to respectfully disagree, TomP.
Certainly, smoking isn’t illegal, so people do have the right to smoke still.
But the issue is why are more new smokers starting the habit, knowing full well that nicotine is one of the most addictive substances known to medical science?
It is troubling that we see an increase when the health risks are so well-known. Something is causing kids to not give a damn. I’d like to know what that is, and I see that as a problem.
why are more new smokers starting the habit
Why is that your, or anyone else’s, business?
So there is a statistic moving in a way the Eagle Editorial Board doesn’t like so they propose that the government do something about it.
Big surprise.
Too bad they can’t have this much courage when the number of abortions goes up.
Okay, right, Sol.
Kids taking poison should be none-of-my business.
Well, if the state robbers tax the sin, they should celebrate the fact there are more sinners.
Kids taking poison should be none-of-my business.
Unless it is your kid, you’re damn right. Stay out of other people’s lives.
If the percentage of people in Kansas who SMOKE cigarettes is going up, my guess would be that the average IQ in Kansas would be GOING down. They kind of run inversely to each other because nobody but a dumb ass would take up smoking cigarettes these days. But it would be a good thing for the country since few of them will live to collect Social Security, it will leave more for the 80% of us who are smart enough not to kill ourselves!
“”" have to respectfully disagree, TomP.
Certainly, smoking isn’t illegal, so people do have the right to smoke still.”"”
Taking a .357 Magnum and placing it against your head and pulling the trigger is not illegal either. And even if it was, well, so what? Doing that would actually be better than taking up smoking. It is much faster and less painful then laying in bed as cancer eats your organs little by little as you suffocate on your own vomit because you can’t breathe anymore.
They didn’t add the fact that in Kansas alone over $900 million is spent on taking care of people who have smoking realted illness…only $200 million goes for Medicaid recipients.
It costs so much to take care of these people in the final days of their lives it’s crazy…and the death they suffer is long, tedious, and horrible.
I never met anyone dying from emphysemia who didn’t think the biggest mistake in their life was to start smoking. Young people are not in touch with their own mortality…and by the time a person becomes aware of the devastation cigarettes cause to their health, it’s often too late.
“Well, if the state robbers tax the sin, they should celebrate the fact there are more sinners.”
Just think of how much money it would SAVE the taxpayers if everyone quit smoking by not having to treat smoking related illness.
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[...] At least that??s what seems to have happened, judging from a new Kansas Department of Health and Envhttp://blogs.kansas.com/weblog/2008/05/smoking-should-not-be-growth-industry/Quit or die, says specialist Khaleej TimesDUBAI ?? Over 25 per cent of total deaths in men are [...]