Tobacco.org

LETTER: Sell Me a Cigarette  

I don't buy cigarettes because I typically smoke only about five a week. My solution to the awkward moments of "bumming" cigarettes from total strangers was to offer people money. For the last few years, I've approached smokers on the street with: "Can I buy a cigarette for 25 cents?" More often than not, the person was charmed by the offer and would happily hand me one, if not two, for free.

In recent weeks, because of the rise in cigarette prices, I've upped my offer to 35 or 50 cents. It's interesting to note that since the price increase, the number of strangers on the street who actually take my money has gone up substantially.

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