Smoking takes a toll on Pennsylvanians’ wallets, with a new report revealing that the habit costs the average smoker thousands each year, writes Ashley Adams for The Keystone.
Financial planning website WalletHub has found that a smoker in the state spends around $4,022 per year on smoking, which comes out to $193,070 over their lifetime.
The result put the Keystone State at No. 15 nationwide for the financial cost of smoking annually and over the course of a lifetime.
The report, titled The Real Cost of Smoking by State, looked at the average cost of a pack of cigarettes in each state and multiplied it by 365 days for the annual cost. The number was then multiplied by 48 for a lifetime amount. Currently the average cost for a pack of cigarettes in Pennsylvania is $11.02.
The report also shows that the monetary losses linked to smoking, including healthcare costs. Tobacco-related healthcare expenses averages $3,989 annually in Pennsylvania, totaling $191,452 over a lifetime.
Additionally, the report found that smoking can result in income loss, with several studies citing absenteeism, workplace bias, and health-related productivity declines as just some of the contributing factors.
To see just how much smoking is costing Pennsylvanians—and where the state ranks nationally—click through to read the full article on The Keystone.
Editor’s Note: This post first appeared on BUCKSCO Today in January 2025.
