The recent increase in the Federal Tobacco Tax (62 cents), coupled with a price hike by the tobacco industry, is causing a lot of smokers to ask for help in their effort to quit smoking.

This is bad news to Big Tobacco. Steven Stanek in The National Newspaper quotes Maura Payne, a spokesperson for RJ Reynolds, as “vigorously opposed” to the tax hike because it “will disproportionately impact poorer families.” Hmm….this is a population that the tobacco industry has targeted for years, selling them a product, that when used as directed by the manufacturer (and that’s you, Philip Morris and RJ Reynolds) results in disease and death. So while actively helping to kill poorer families she’s now concerned those cigarettes may cost them a little more? It would seem she is more concerned about the Almighty Buck flowing into Big Tobacco’s coffers!

But this is what Big Tobacco does best. They try and confuse the issues so they come off looking like the good guy --- the protector of human rights, the warrior against unfair taxes --- and sometimes they are successful. But, in fact, they are only interested in their bottom line regardless of who dies as a result. A good example recently occurred in the State of Oregon where they mounted a multi-million dollar campaign to defeat a tobacco tax that would have paid for health care for uninsured children.

Cigarette tax and price increases, including this last one, have been very effective in prompting smokers to make a decision to quit smoking. No argument there! One reliable measure of smokers trying to quit is calls to Tobacco Quit Lines. By calling 1-800-QUIT NOW a smoker will be automatically routed to the Quit Line in their state – and all 50 states have one. There they can get help quitting this deadly addiction. And phones are ringing off the hook!

Some would argue that every smoker needs help quitting. Others would argue that there is no magic bullet to quitting and all it takes is will power. So who’s right? You could say both are right or you could say neither is right. The truth is that some smokers need help to quit and some don’t.

As a smoker, if you decide to quit on your own and you succeed, then you didn’t need help. Great, you’re done and you can get on with your life. Plus, you’ve just added years to your life span! Congratulations.

But if you have tried to quit, maybe many times, and have not been able to quit, then there is help available.

Quit smoking programs are an essential component of tobacco control policies. In fact, without treatment programs, many would argue that tobacco control policies are unethical, and I would agree. To not offer help to those who need it is to doom them to a life of smoking related disease and an early death.

So if you quit on your own, pat yourself on the back. If you have not been able to quit, there is help available. Call 1-800-QUIT NOW. To be clear, there’s no promise of magic bullets, just proven programs that can help smokers achieve a healthier (and less expensive) life. Best of all, the programs are free.