Thousands quit as tax hike stubs out a bad habit
Kirsty Dunning , 27, of Port Pirie who wants to give up smoking as part of her New Year’s resolution. Picture: Tait Schmaal Source: The Advertiser
THOUSANDS of extra smokers have sought help to quit since cigarette price rises in May.
Quit SA’s Quitline has recorded a 20 per cent increase in calls since May, while nearly 1000 smokers have enrolled in Quit onQ – a new text messaging service which was launched in August. Quit SA has also recorded a 60 per cent increase in referrals from general practitioners to more than 1500 in 2010.
But while the figures are positive, Quit SA manager David Edwards said it was unlikely smoking rates had reduced dramatically since 2008, when 20 per cent of South Australians aged 15 or over smoked.
The 2009 figures will be available next year.
With the new year just two days away, Mr Edwards said now was the perfect time to give up. "what better way to start the New Year than by kicking a habit that could claim your life?" he said.
Mr Edwards said Quitline averaged 250 callers a week since May, compared with 210 calls a week before the price rise. Quit onQ averaged 60 new users a week, with 70 per cent of those using a Quit SA service for the first time.
He said the figures indicated the Federal Government’s price rise – it raised taxes on cigarettes by an extra 25 per cent, adding another $2.16 to a pack of 30 cigarettes – had encouraged more people to stop smoking.
AMA state president Dr Andrew Lavender said price increases were the single biggest factor in reducing smoking rates.
He said putting nicotine patches on to the pharmaceutical benefits scheme from next year would also help.
Kirsty Dunning, 27, of Port Pirie, said she intended to quit as a New Year’s resolution. she said she was doing it for her 2 1/2-year-ancient daughter, Ilana.