The cost of cigarettes goes up tomorrow because of a new tax.
But giving up that addiction is not easy at any prices.
"It was definitely the hardest thing I ever did, to quit smoking and it was actually the most rewarding as well,” said Donna Robinson, a nurse at Castle Medical Center.
Smokers and ex-smokers like Donna started for a number of reasons.
Quitting is complicated.
"The reason is because the brain actually adjusts, once you start smoking nicotine and it's very difficult after that because the brain becomes dependent upon it for normal function,” said Cara Sidira, treatment specialist at Castle Medical Center.
Because quitting is complicated, Castle Medical Center and other institutions offer a variety of therapies.
"Everyone is individual and quitting smoking is such a huge lifestyle change that the approach has to be individually tailored. There are a variety of medications as well as a variety of counseling techniques,” said Sidira.
Part of any treatment involves an understanding network of friends and family.
"A lot of tolerance, being aware that it's such an addictive habit and that there's, it's a process. People really put up with me,” said Robinson.
"Research says that it takes the average smoker seven to fourteen times to quit for good. So the support network needs to know that, needs to embrace that person and celebrate every single quit attempt as a success,” said Sidira.
Her point is simple - there is help available, even if you’re quitting for the first time.
And Donna Robinson says the payoff is great. "In my life, I completed a marathon last year so that was amazing because I had started smoking when I was really young, like pre-teen and then smoked for many, many years and to complete a marathon it was a miracle."
