Quitting smoking makes economic sense
What does it cost to stop smoking?
For just about anyone, less than it does to keep smoking. Many smokers burn through thousands of dollars each year buying cigarettes alone. Then there are peripheral costs like breath mints, extra trips to the dry cleaner and higher premiums for health insurance.
Quitting costs money too, but it’s a better long-term investment. Plus, much of what you’ll need to get started — nicotine gum, patches and even counseling sessions — is often available free.
“The cost of quitting isn’t typically the reason smokers give for not giving up the habit,” says Dr. Cheryl Healton, president of the American Legacy Foundation, a smoking cessation advocacy group based in Washington, D.C. “But finding out that it can be a very manageable cost is good news for smokers who make the decision to stop.”
Nationwide, the average cost of a pack of cigarettes (including the federal cigarette tax and state sales taxes) is about $5.51, according to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids in Washington, D.C. For those who smoke a pack a day, that works out to about $155 a month, or just over $2,000 a year.
Quitting, on the other hand, generally costs $25 to $150 a month, according to Dr. Michael Fiore, director of the University of Wisconsin Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention. One-on-one counseling may add to the tab, he said.
Smokers may need to make several attempts before they kick the habit for good, and the final attempt at quitting generally takes two to three months, he said.
The very first step can cost nothing — call the toll-free number (800) QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) for a referral to the quit-smoking line in your state. Staffers can mail you smoking cessation materials and refer you to support groups and free one-on-one phone counseling. In many cases, quit-line operators can even provide an initial supply of some nicotine replacement products.
Another free resource is Smokefree.gov, a Department of Health and Human Services website. You can get a free copy of the Quit Guide, which will walk you through steps to take on “Quit Day” and help you manage your cravings. The site’s medication guide has detailed information on over-the-counter and prescription drugs to help wean yourself off cigarettes. You can also have an online chat with a smoking cessation counselor or find out how to enroll in a clinical trial.
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Quitting smoking