According to a new study conducted by the American Lung Association, the average US$5.50 retail price of a package of 20 cigarettes goes up to US$18 dollars each when larger economic costs of smoking are factored in.

Throughout the United States, expenses from the addictive habit total more than US$301 billion annually, which includes workplace productivity losses of US$67.5 billion, costs of premature death at US$117 billion,
and direct medical expenditures of US$116 billion.

The association thus urges government leaders to implement programs that help citizens quit, thus saving lives and money to benefit all.

Many thanks, American Lung Association and all those involved for helping to more clearly define the real costs of this harmful substance.

May our societies soon deliver the quickest path to help all citizens become smoke-free, restoring both financial freedom and health to themselves and caring loved ones.

http://www.france24.com/en/20100915-pack-cigarettes-us-costs-18-dollars-study
http://www.publicradio.org/columns/marketplace/business-news-briefs/2010/09
/study_the_actual_cost_of_cigar.html
http://www.lungusa.org/stop-smoking/tobacco-control-advocacy/reports-resources/cessation-economic-
benefits/states/united-states.html