Smoking Cuts People’s Life

Scientists found that depending on where people live, they can save $200 to nearly $1,000 by quitting smoking. Most smokers already know that they can safeguard their health, hygiene and personal relationships only by kicking this bad habit. Smokers will save money by quitting smoking, but also much depends on where they live.

For example smokers in Delaware stand to save the most cash by quitting. That's because in Delaware, where a pack of cigarettes costs about $5.39, residents smoke more than in any other state, just over 185 packs per year. That comes out to $998.23 spent individually on smoking every year. But few cigarettes are smoked in Utah, in this way the average resident would save less by stopping smoking than a smoker in any other state. For the 33 average packs they smoke a year, Utah spends $150.85 annually.

In most states smokers stand to save between $200 and $500. For example smokers from Florida can save $276.04, from Alaska $441.72, from Maine $439.92, from Mississippi $321.46 and from Illinois $298.66. Scientists found data on the price of cigarettes and frequency of smoking for the 50 states and the District of Columbia, and found that in most states, quitting smoking would save more than $300 per year just on the cost of cigarettes. Those savings don't include the myriad other costs nonsmokers are spared: steep dry-cleaning bills, big health care costs and higher life insurance premiums among them.

With scores of Americans being forced to tighten their belts, smoking is a quick way to fatten the wallet. If history offers any lessons, we may see an even steeper cost of smoking soon.