WREX.com – Rockford’s News LeaderPrice of smoking going up this week

Price of smoking going up this week

By Marissa Sherer

Smokers will have to pay more to light up starting on Wednesday.

The cigarette tax in Illinois is going up from $0.39 to $1.01 per pack. That means a pack-a-day smoker will spend more than $2,500 a year on cigarettes.

Medical groups hope the increase will help persuade smokers to quit.

Here's a look at how stopping will improve your health:

If you quit tomorrow night at midnight your blood pressure will drop and pulse rate will slow down.

Just two days later, your risk for a hear attack will begin to drop.

By this summer walking and exercising will be easier.

When the year 2020 rolls around, your overall risk of death will be comparable to those who have never smoked.

You can get more information and support to quit smoking you can utilize the Illinois Tobacco Quitline, 866-QUIT-YES (866-784-8937). The Quitline is available from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.