Slow Economy Slows Smokers' Quit Attempts

(NAPSI)-If you're stressed out about the economy and smoking more, you're not alone. According to a new poll, 77 percent of current smokers report increased stress levels due to the current state of the economy and two- thirds of those smokers say this stress has had an effect on their smoking.

The survey was conducted for the American Legacy Foundation®, a national public health foundation devoted to keeping young people from smoking and helping all smokers quit. Among the survey findings:

• One in four smokers stressed about the economy say this stress has caused them to smoke more cigarettes per day, a statistic that's higher among women (31 percent) than men (17 percent).

• Those smokers with lower household incomes are especially affected by the financial crisis. A greater percentage of stressed smokers with a household income of less than $35,000 reported smoking more cigarettes per day (38 percent) due to the current state of the economy. "We are especially concerned about how the economy is impacting those struggling to quit and stay quit," said Cheryl G. Healton, Dr.P.H., president and CEO of the American Legacy Foundation. The survey found that 7 percent of current smokers surveyed had started smoking again due to stress over the economic crisis, even though they had previously quit. Furthermore, 9 percent of stressed-out former smokers said the state of the economy had tempted them to start smoking again. Even more telling, 13 percent of stressed smokers say their stress about the economy has caused them to postpone their plans to quit.

Smokers can visit www.becomeanex.org to learn more about how to quit successfully and how to build their own personalized quit plans.

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