| A recent study found that in total, smoking costs the | | | | to calculate smoking-related costs |
| United States approximately $150 billion each year | | | | Another up to date source of research and |
| including lost productivity and health costs. Other | | | | information is professional Journal articles, searchable |
| studies estimate the real cost of cigarettes to be | | | | on such online databases as PubMed ( A service of |
| about $40 a pack, once all the related medical | | | | the National Library of Medicine and the National |
| expenses are factored in. With such phenomenal | | | | Institute of Health. National and regional studies on |
| figures, it is not surprising that an increasing amount of | | | | smoking and related issues can be found, compared |
| research is being devoted to the cost of smoking from | | | | and compiled for a comprehensive overview of |
| a number of angles and including a number of | | | | statistical findings and recent developments. |
| industries. | | | | Other organizations, such as the American Lung |
| The costs of smoking go beyond the direct treatment | | | | Association focus largely on the cost to human life ( |
| of smoking-related health concerns. Studies on worker | | | | and how to reduce and overcome the contributing |
| absenteeism and productivity show a significantly | | | | factors such as nicotine addiction. From any angle, it is |
| higher cost to employers for smokers than | | | | obvious that the cost to society of smoking-related |
| non-smoking employees. Over the years, second hand | | | | illnesses and other effects is significant. For more |
| smoke has also contributed significantly to the overall | | | | information about the costs, contributing factors, and |
| expense. Although research and education has | | | | what you can do about it, browse some of the online |
| improved drastically in recent decades, thousands of | | | | resources available. Past action has resulted in the |
| young people still start smoking every day, and the high | | | | vast increase of no-smoking offices, buildings and |
| economic, medical and social costs of smoking | | | | other public spaces, leading to a significant decrease in |
| continue. | | | | conditions resulting from second-hand smoke. We can |
| There are numerous resources available online that | | | | all help play a part in the continued efforts towards |
| describe in detail the many economic and health | | | | improved understanding of smoking's costs, and |
| related costs of smoking. Several very valuable and | | | | hopefully reducing them. |
| informative websites include: | | | | Smoking is not just a personal habit, but a contributing |
| CDC - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( - | | | | factor to large scale social problems. It is going to take |
| Tobacco Information and Prevention Source (TIPS) - | | | | widespread concern and concerted efforts to make |
| reports, educational materials, cessation resources and | | | | substantial changes. Thankfully, with the numerous |
| more - Press Releases - SAMMEC software | | | | smoking cessation methods and products available |
| (Smoking Attributable Mortality, Morbidity, and | | | | today, there is more help for those who wish to quit |
| Economic Costs) - an online tool that allows individuals | | | | smoking than ever before. |