In our view: Invest in smokers to help cut health care costs
Jump to full article: Fredericton (NB) Daily Gleaner (ca), 2008-08-27
Intro: Our reputation as a have-not province usually puts us in the bottom three or four of whatever issue is being measured.
In this case, however, we are No. 1, but for the unenviable distinction of having the greatest proportion of hard-core smokers.
Last year, New Brunswickers smoked more cigarettes per day - 17.3 - than people in every other province, and that number has risen by two a day since 2006. . . .
So if a smoker wants to be free of cigarette enslavement, let's offer the help that will increase the odds of success.
And if a smoker wants to continue the habit, let's make it more difficult financially.
These changes have the potential to put New Brunswick in top spot for a much better reason - the biggest drop in cigarette consumption.
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