The American Legacy Foundation®, a public health foundation dedicated to reducing tobacco use in the U.S. recently announced the results of a new survey conducted on their behalf by Harris Interactive which found that stress about the ongoing financial downturn is having a clear and immediate effect on smokers.

Seventy-seven percent of current smokers report increased stress levels due to the current state of the economy and two-thirds of those smokers say this stress has had an effect on their smoking.

Moreover, some former smokers report they are starting to smoke again because of the stress
over the financial situation.

Among the survey findings:

* One in four smokers stressed about the economy say this stress has caused them to smoke more cigarettes per day, higher among women (31%) than men (17%).
* Those smokers with lower household incomes are especially affected by the financial crisis. A greater percentage of stressed smokers with a household income of less than $35k reported smoking more cigarettes per day (38%) due to the current state of the economy, compared to those with household incomes of $35-74k (24%)and those with incomes of more than $75k (13%).
* In addition, a greater percentage of middle-income ($35-74.9k) stressed smokers have delayed their quit
attempts because of stress over the economy (20%) than those with household incomes of under $35k (14%) and to a greater extent more than those stressed higher-income (more than $75k household income) smokers (6%).
* Unemployed smokers stressed about the economy reported smoking more cigarettes per day (29%) in greater
numbers than full-time or self-employed stressed smokers (17%).

"We are especially concerned about how the economy is impacting those struggling to quit and stay quit," said Cheryl G. Healton, Dr. P.H., president and CEO of the American Legacy Foundation. The survey found that 7 percent of current smokers surveyed had started smoking again due to stress over the economic crisis, even though they had previously quit. Furthermore, 9 percent of stressed-out former smokers said the state of the economy had tempted them to start smoking again. Even more telling, 13 percent of stressed smokers say their stress about the economy has caused them to postpone their plans to quit.

"It is no secret that stress is a major factor in smoking habits," Dr. Healton added. "The turbulent global stock markets have caused virtually every American a certain level of stress. Those who also struggle with an addiction to tobacco products are at an increased disadvantage as they contemplate quitting, or feel the urge to smoke more cigarettes. Quitting smoking under normal circumstances is one of the most difficult things you can do. Smokers need to create a comprehensive quit plan, use the right medications or nicotine replacement products to help them with their quit attempt, and get social support from family, friends and colleagues. It's challenging to make a comprehensive attempt to quit when issues like job security, uncertainty about the future, and the worries of your family and friends keep you from having all the resources you need to tackle this very difficult addiction."

2,375 U.S. Adults aged 18+, of whom 1,347 had ever smoked participated in the survey.

The survey also found economic stress is causing smokers to re-evaluate their buying habits when it comes to tobacco products:

* One-fifth of smokers stressed about the state of the economy have switched to a cheaper brand to save money.
* More stressed smokers with household incomes of less than $35k (28%) reported brand-switching compared to those with household incomes of more than $50k (12%). One quarter of those with incomes of $35-$49k reported switching brands to save money.

Earlier this year, Legacy and a coalition of public health groups launched EX®, a quit smoking program that encourages smokers to "re-learn life without cigarettes." The campaign aims to educate smokers about the daily triggers that make them want to smoke, and preps them how to overcome triggers with practice and preparation. Financial stress is a prime smoking trigger and smokers can learn valuable tools to help them prepare for a quit attempt by visiting http://www.BecomeAnEX.org. The Web site features action-oriented tools and information to help smokers prepare for quitting by developing a personalized plan, as well offering a virtual community, where smokers can reach out to others for support and to share stories about their quit attempts.