With each new year, many in the United States vow to quit smoking – not only because it is an unhealthy habit but because it is also a costly one.
New data has revealed how much smokers in every state could save if they decide to quit smoking as their New Year’s resolution, and it works out to an average of $2,230 a year, with Connecticut and New York the second and fifth most expensive states for smokers.
The findings, from Yocan Vaporizer, calculated the cost of a year’s supply of cigarettes in each state, based on the current cost of a 20-pack and the typical consumption rate – which is 14 cigarettes daily, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Across the United States, a 20-pack of cigarettes costs an average of $8.73, which translates to $6.11 daily for the typical smoker’s consumption of 14 cigarettes.
The average yearly sum of $2,230 per smoker only covers the upfront cost of cigarettes. It doesn’t consider related health-care expenses like frequent doctor’s visits or the heightened insurance premiums resulting from the health risks associated with smoking. So the actual savings would be significantly more.
Some states stand to save more than others, with Alaska’s ex-smokers able to recoup $3,577 next year. A 20-pack of cigarettes costs $14 in the state, or $9.80 for a daily supply. This is 60% more expensive than the national average cost of smoking.
The second and third places that would benefit the most from quitting smoking are Connecticut and Massachusetts, with the states’ smokers able to recoup $3,322 if they resolve to quit in January. A 20-pack is priced at $13, equating to a daily expenditure of $9.10.
Maryland smokers could save $8.40 each day if they stop smoking, or $3,066 over the year, as a 20-pack is priced at $12. In New York, the potential yearly savings are slightly lower at $2,902, with a daily supply setting smokers back $7.95.
Overall, smokers in every state could save at least $1,300 next year if they quit smoking in January — with more than two-thirds of states (39%) able to save more than the national average.
On the other end of the scale, the state that stands to save the least from smoking cessation – but still a substantial sum – is Missouri, with an annual cigarette expenditure of $1,341. A 20-pack of cigarettes costs $5.25 in the state, so a daily supply will set smokers back $3.68.
According to the latest “rates by state” report from the American Lung Association, more than half (58%) of the nation’s smokers who tried to quit failed to do so. It’s vital, then, that smokers focus on the incentives and benefits associated with quitting to curb their cravings.
This is especially true in Delaware, which reported the highest failure rate overall, with two-thirds (65.6%) of smokers giving up on quitting. Wisconsin proved the least likely to fail, but even then, more than half (50.8%) of the state’s smokers did not quit successfull.
Quitting is clearly extremely difficult, as almost half of states report a higher failure rate than the national average, but getting ahead of next year’s resolution can make all the difference for sticking to your goals, an expert noted.
Speaking on the findings, a Yocan Vaporizer spokesperson said: “The key to succeeding with any New Year’s resolution – especially one like stopping smoking – is to get a head start. It takes 66 days to form a habit, and…there’s no better time to start setting some solid foundations.
“So many people fail to keep to their goals, because the novelty of it being a fresh start soon wears off, and the temptation to smoke rises along with post-holiday blues and stress. If you already have healthy coping mechanisms in place… you’re more likely to be able to draw on them throughout January.
“This head start doesn’t have to be anything drastic. Perhaps consider simply cutting down on your cigarette consumption, even if you’re not ready to stop altogether.”
New Yorkers can find free help at 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487), online at nysmokefree.com and by texting QUITNOW to 333888. Connecticut residents can find help by clicking on https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Health-Education-Management–Surveillance/Tobacco/CT-Quitline or calling 1-800-QUIT-Now.
