The Cost of Cigarette Use Did you know active-duty service members and veterans smoke cigarettes at a higher rate than the general population? Many Warfighters start smoking during their service and find it hard to quit long after their time in the military. Nicotine, the active ingredient in cigarettes, is addictive. This makes it hard to quit and can lead to long-term use. You may know that smoking is bad for your health, but did you know it has other negative consequences too? Smoking lowers productivity and hinders mission readiness, making it a burden to not only those who smoke but to the country as a whole. Smoking is also expensive to maintain. Check out the costs of smoking below: Financial Costs Depending on what state you live in, the personal cost of smoking cigarettes can range from $59,000 to $108,000 each year. Over a lifetime, this total can reach up to $5 million. These estimates are based on out-of-pocket expenses, lost income, health care spending and other costs associated with smoking cigarettes. Check out how your state ranks in the map below: Source: WalletHub If you are unable to view the above map, visit this link to access it directly from WalletHub. To see how much you currently spend on tobacco products, check out this savings calculator. Time Costs In addition to money, there is often a time cost associated with smoking. If you smoke, ask yourself the following: How much time do you spend buying or using tobacco products? Think about how you could use this time to do other things you enjoy. Does smoking cause you to miss work or other important activities? Reflect on how your productivity is impacted by smoking. Does smoking negatively influence the quality of your work? Consider why your work is being affected and how it could improve. Well-being Costs Smoking can also be costly to your well-being. You may find it impacts mental, emotional, social and occupational areas of your life more than you realize. If you smoke, consider the following questions: Does smoking causes disruptions to your daily life? Think about how you can limit the strain on those areas of your life by cutting back on or quitting smoking. How does smoking affect your relationships? Consider how continuing to smoke impacts your friends and family. Is smoking worth possibly harming those connections? How does smoking affect your mood? Reflect on how your attitude changes throughout a normal day, especially when you are unable to reach for a cigarette. Smoking can take a toll on your life, health and finances. It is never too late to take control of your smoking. For more information about tobacco and quitting smoking, visit the Warfighter Wellness Thinking About Quitting Tobacco webpage. If you or someone you know is trying to quit, check out the additional resources section below. Additional Resources American Lung Association – “How to Quit Smoking” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – “How to Quit Smoking” You Can Quit 2 – “Considering Quitting? Start Here.” You Can Quit 2 – “Making A Quit Plan” References American Lung Association – “Tobacco Facts” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – “Military Service Members and Veterans” WalletHub – “The Real Cost of Smoking by State” You Can Quit 2 – “Is Tobacco Taking a Toll on Your Bank Account?”
