Row upon row of multicolored cigarette packages. every style, brand, and size. but that's not what surprised me. not in the least. what hit me was the per-pack price. some well over NINE DOLLARS for twenty death sicks.
Nine dollars a pack- let's think of this in the most simple of terms. in the state of Illinois the mandated minimum wage as of Jan 1, 2012 is $8.25/hour. According to WikiAnswers an average smoker will go through 1/2 to 1-1/2 packs a day. so we will round up to 10 packs a week. that's 90 dollars a week in cigarettes alone, so compare that to a 40 hour week where the average minimum wage worker will make $330 before taxes, so we will subtract those (5% for State, 15% for Federal- these rates are for single people- no kids no deductions) which will leave you with $266.48 a week. so lets subtract that $90 bucks. that leaves you with a WHOPPING $176.48/wk to maintain bills, rent, food and expenses. now granted i'm doing Morgan Spurlock/Michael Moore math here- but does this drive anything home?
lets take a look at this chart which compares income levels in comparison to smokers:
interesting that those who make the least amount of money smoke more than those in higher incomes. why is that? seeing as how much smoking costs, how can folks who work minimum/low income jobs afford to smoke? and they aren't addictive... no wonder the economy is in the dumps.
the money issue aside:
i will admit, i have tried to smoke a few times in my life, but it never stuck.
1. i can't stand the smell. it's putrid. it hangs in the air, in your clothes, and it makes your breath smell like the mouth of the devil.
2. i have had a physical reaction almost 90% of the times i attempted to pick up the smokes. smoking (or any tobacco product) has made me vomit- Literally. not in the "he literally knocked that guy's head off" NFL commentator sense, but vomit has literally exited my body.
3. i grew up in a house with smokers and no room was exempt from an ashtray. imagine getting out of the shower and drying your face with a towelful of stale cigarette smoke.
4. i've had a heart condition since i was a child. several surgeries and too close to call moments in my youth aside- i was stupid for even trying to smoke a cigarette.
I truly believe that every person should be allowed to care for or poison themselves any way that they want to, be it drugs, alcohol, tobacco or food. it's your body, do with it what you will for ill or for good. But why would anyone want to intentionally do something that has been proven time and time again to cause cancer and other disabling diseases?! not to mention sap your income? plus it isn't as socially acceptable anymore, many states are banning smoking in public places, so if it's mid February and you need a nicfix, you hoof it outside in sub zero temps to fix like a junkie, or you have to stand in a plastic tent that has been designated as a smoking area- which concentrates multiple smokers in an enclosed area which compounds the second hand smoke like a gas chamber.
do with your life as you chose, but please, especially if you have kids- give up the smokes. as the son of a cancer victim, a form cancer related directly to smoking: it's a bitch to lose someone you love to cancer. to watch them waste away, lose circulation and lose limbs. make wise choices in your life. you are loved.
RH
