Economy making more smokers find help to kick habit

Usually, by this time of year, the Vermilion County Health Department has ended its smoking-cessation classes, restarting in the fall.

But not this year.

Whether it's the high cost of tobacco products or the state ban on indoor smoking, local smokers are seeking help to kick the habit.

"I think it's due to a combination of things," said Linda Bolton, who team-teaches the classes with Micki Crome. "Now, it's more difficult to smoke whenever and wherever you want to, younger people are concerned about how smoking will affect them down the line, and older smokers are starting to have symptoms after years of continuous smoking.

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