If we're supposed to be in a recession, why are cigarette sales up?

Question

If we're supposed to be in a recession, why are cigarette sales up?

Answer 1

The recession is for the citizens not the GOVERNMENT. The legal pimps still have to make that money.  

Answer 2

bc it is an addiction and people will go to great lengths to get ahold of enough money for them i.e. pawning their things...

Answer 3

When there's a recession, things that take people's minds off their problems generally get consumed more.  

For example, cigarettes.  But also, movie theatre sales increase during recessions because movies give people something else to think about.  

People also tend to consume things that cost less during a recession (both cigarettes and movies are a good example).  Instead of going on vacation this summer (costing maybe $2000), they go to a movie and smoke a pack of cigarettes every week during the summer (costing maybe $200).  

Answer 4

because so is stress, and it is a stress reliever, people who quit are going back to it due to overwhelming stress caused by the economic downturn.

Answer 5

When your stressed you smoke. And you somehow manage to find the money for cigarettes. Or if your some people you have the goverment pay for your groceries and health care so you have plenty of money left over from your monthly SSI check to buy cigarettes.