A new state tax increase on cigarettes is being credited with trebling the number of calls to a New York City stop-smoking helpline in the week after the increase went into effect, the Associated Press reported July 10.

The 311 helpline fielded 2,700 calls during the week of June 2, up from 850 during the same week last year. On June 3, New York's cigarette tax increased by $1.25 per pack, to $2.75.

"Most smokers want to quit," said Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, the health commissioner. "And the extra push of a higher price results in many smokers stopping smoking forever."

Adult smoking in New York City has fallen 21 percent since the city implemented  the first round of significant tax hikes in 2002.