What could you do with an extra $24,508 a year?
That’s how much the average smoker in South Carolina will spend on the habit.
Personal finance website WalletHub compared the lifetime and yearly costs of smoking.
Over a lifetime, SC smokers will on average lose $1,249,887.
That’s between cigarette costs, healthcare, income loss, financial opportunity cost and others.
And that’s cheap compared to elsewhere in the country.
SC ranks as the 5th-least expensive state for smokers.
Smokers in New York will spend $48,197 a year and $2,458,044 over a lifetime.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports medical costs to treat smoking-related complications are among the biggest financial drains caused by tobacco use.
Ready to quit?
San Diego Sate University School of Public Health’s Dr. Thomas Novotny says there are several options.
“FDA-approved OTC pharmaceuticals help many people, including patches, gum, aerosols, and other nicotine replacements.
“All of these assists are more effective when combined with counseling, family and friend support, and lots of information about what triggers the need to smoke, the health consequences of smoking and its economic impact on the smoker.”
Many have turned to e-cigarettes and vape pens to quit smoking.
Dr. Novotny says that could be dangerous.
“The evidence is still out as to whether these are effective and safe alternatives to smoking.
“Most e-cig users also use regular cigarettes.
“The most important thing smokers can do is to decide to quit and to pursue this with every ounce of energy and social support.”
Lexington Medical Center is offering a series of free smoking cessation classes to help people kick the habit once and for all.
To sign up, call Lexington Medical Center Lexington’s Cardiac Rehabilitation department at (803) 358-6180.
Find the full study at https://wallethub.com/edu/the-financial-cost-of-smoking-by-state/9520/ .