These coupons aren't worth the savings

It's Christmas time and everyone is looking for the best deals – many of which are offered through coupon promotions. Coupons are meant to help us save money, but tobacco companies use them to keep their customers addicted and make their product dirt-cheap.
 
Tobacco coupons, in essence, are “killer” coupons. They definitely cost more than they are worth. As we explain in this 45 second video, tobacco companies use these coupons to target young and female smokers.

The new research from ClearWay Minnesota and Dr. Kelvin Choi, a researcher at the University of Minnesota, found smokers who use coupons are 84 percent less likely to stop smoking.

Here are some other key facts from the research:

• The average mailer contains nearly $4.00 in discounts.
• Young adult smokers, female smokers and heavy smokers are more likely to receive and use coupons.
• Nearly half of smokers reported receiving cigarette coupons.
• Of the smokers that receive these coupons, 80 percent redeem them.
• Smokers who use coupons are more likely to believe that tobacco companies care about their health, do their best to make cigarettes safe and tell the truth.

The deceptive nature of tobacco coupons is another reminder that tobacco is still a problem in our state. We know that 5,100 Minnesota adults die each year from smoking and smoking kills more people than murder, car crashes, aids, suicide, alcohol and drugs combined.
 
It doesn’t matter if you are looking for ways to save money during the holidays or not, these killer coupons are not worth the cost. There isn’t a savings amount that is worth the impact these coupons could have on your life. To learn more or see examples of how you and your community could get involved, visit www.stillaproblem.com, or contact me directly at info@clearwaymn.org.