# How much does smoking cigarettes cost you annually? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 16, 2006, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-smoking-cigarettes-cost-you-annually/340261 "2006-01-16T20:20:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ensign\_Edison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ab992/32.png) [@Ensign\_Edison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ensign_Edison)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2006, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-smoking-cigarettes-cost-you-annually/340261/21 "2006-01-18T19:06:42Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > According to something another poster said in another thread, cartons are over $50 in Massachussetts! Ack! In NYC, a carton is like $70. ---
**Author:** ![Mathochist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c89c15/32.png) [@Mathochist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mathochist)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2006, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-smoking-cigarettes-cost-you-annually/340261/22 "2006-01-18T21:56:01Z")
> [@astro](#): > > Re this thread ["I’d Murder For A Bloody Fag](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=354365) I’m curious just how much smoking costs. I don’t smoke, and when I look at the “carton” prices advertised by various convenience store window posters I’m stunned by how expensive they seem. > > How much does it cost a person to smoke? Are the generic brands a lot less expensive? Is there a significant difference in taste quality between cheaper and premium brands? Me? About $600-700. Djarum specials at about 2 packs a week at around $6 a pack. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2006, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-smoking-cigarettes-cost-you-annually/340261/23 "2006-01-18T22:01:49Z")
Well. It would seem we have a pretty good survey of the direct costs of smoking, but what about the indirect costs? Such as increased life insurance rates? ---
**Author:** ![Mathochist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c89c15/32.png) [@Mathochist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mathochist)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2006, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-smoking-cigarettes-cost-you-annually/340261/24 "2006-01-18T22:04:51Z")
> [@UncleBeer](#): > > Well. It would seem we have a pretty good survey of the direct costs of smoking, but what about the indirect costs? Such as increased life insurance rates? God, I knew _someone_ would feel the need to wave their flag. The OP clearly indicated the costs of the cigarettes themselves. Take your witnessing to GD. ---
**Author:** ![spankari](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@spankari](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spankari)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-smoking-cigarettes-cost-you-annually/340261/25 "2006-01-19T06:00:57Z")
I smoke about a pack a day of Marlboros @ 2.80 per pack so only about $1000 or so per year. I’m a pretty dedicated smoker but I might think about quitting if they had a cigarette tax here and they cost me $5 or $6 per pack. Sometimes I try to justify wasting all that money, and then I realize I really didn’t waste it. I really enjoy smoking cigarettes. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-smoking-cigarettes-cost-you-annually/340261/26 "2006-01-19T13:07:43Z")
> [@Mathochist](#): > > God, I knew _someone_ would feel the need to wave their flag. The OP clearly indicated the costs of the cigarettes themselves. Take your witnessing to GD. Witnessing? I think not. Even tho’ I am an ex-smoker, I don’t give a shit if **you** wanna smoke. Hell, you’re welcome to smoke in my damned house if you choose. You don’t know me, and I rather resent your snide tone. If **you’ve** got nothing to add the topic, but just wanna be a dick, I suggest you take your petty little fucking complaint to the Pit. Anyway, if ya wanna know how much it costs to do something, you need to estimate **all** the costs. And the OP most certainly did not ask that this conversation be limited direct costs alone. A reasonable conclusion can be drawn from those questions that perhaps astro simply didn’t consider such. ---
**Author:** ![Mathochist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c89c15/32.png) [@Mathochist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mathochist)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-smoking-cigarettes-cost-you-annually/340261/27 "2006-01-19T13:38:01Z")
> [@UncleBeer](#): > > Witnessing? I think not. Even tho’ I am an ex-smoker, I don’t give a shit if **you** wanna smoke. Hell, you’re welcome to smoke in my damned house if you choose. You don’t know me, and I rather resent your snide tone. If **you’ve** got nothing to add the topic, but just wanna be a dick, I suggest you take your petty little fucking complaint to the Pit. Or just take it to email like you did. > [@](#): > > Anyway, if ya wanna know how much it costs to do something, you need to estimate **all** the costs. And the OP most certainly did not ask that this conversation be limited direct costs alone. A reasonable conclusion can be drawn from those questions that perhaps astro simply didn’t consider such. I disagree, but if you insist on adding what it does to my health insurance costs it’s easy to tell you: not a damn thing. Insurance comes through my employer, and they don’t even ask whether I smoke or not. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-smoking-cigarettes-cost-you-annually/340261/28 "2006-01-19T14:03:19Z")
> [@Mathochist](#): > > . . . if you insist on adding what it does to my **health** insurance costs it’s easy to tell you: not a damn thing. Insurance comes through my employer, and they don’t even ask whether I smoke or not. Hey, thanks for the info. But it ain’t what I asked. > [@UncleBeer](#): > > Such as increased **life** insurance rates? Every _life_ insurance policy I’ve ever seen inquires about smoking. ---
**Author:** ![Mathochist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c89c15/32.png) [@Mathochist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mathochist)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-smoking-cigarettes-cost-you-annually/340261/29 "2006-01-19T14:07:56Z")
> [@UncleBeer](#): > > Hey, thanks for the info. But it ain’t what I asked. > Every _life_ insurance policy I’ve ever seen inquires about smoking. Then still none. I have no such policy and don’t intend to. ---
**Author:** ![Sgt.Pepper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@Sgt.Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sgt.Pepper)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-smoking-cigarettes-cost-you-annually/340261/30 "2006-01-19T14:10:34Z")
Well, here in Ontario I was paying $16.99 for two packs at this one store, but it can often be more than that, depending on where you buy them. I was a pack a day guy, so that’s $8.50 a day for me, and annually that’s…$3,103.50. I’m more happy with having not spent 40 dollars this week. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-smoking-cigarettes-cost-you-annually/340261/31 "2006-01-19T14:14:24Z")
> [@UncleBeer](#): > > Every _life_ insurance policy I’ve ever seen inquires about smoking. I have a (smallish) policy through my work, and they didn’t ask. But in general, you’re right. And a while back, I had a job where the smokers paid a few more dollars for the company health insurance. You could also tack on costs for lighters/matches, ashtrays, houses burning down, etc. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-smoking-cigarettes-cost-you-annually/340261/32 "2006-01-19T14:17:35Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > I have a (smallish) policy through my work, and they didn’t ask. But in general, you’re right. And a while back, I had a job where the smokers paid a few more dollars for the company health insurance. > > You could also tack on costs for lighters/matches, ashtrays, houses burning down, etc. And some folks here have. Except for the burning down the house part. I’m pretty sure most smokers don’t do that on an annual basis. And even if they did, it’s not a cost that’s easily predicted - like an increased premium on your life insurance policy. ---
**Author:** ![MizGrand](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cdc98d/32.png) [@MizGrand](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MizGrand)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-smoking-cigarettes-cost-you-annually/340261/33 "2006-01-19T14:33:04Z")
I’m still dying here, dying…for your response. Please chime in again! ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-smoking-cigarettes-cost-you-annually/340261/34 "2006-01-19T16:57:05Z")
> [@UncleBeer](#): > > And some folks here have. Except for the burning down the house part. I’m pretty sure most smokers don’t do that on an annual basis. And even if they did, it’s not a cost that’s easily predicted - like an increased premium on your life insurance policy. Both my life(about a quarter million policy) and health insurance are fully paid by my job and they don’t ask, so no extra cost. As to matches and lighters, maybe 2 dollars a couple times a year for lighters, most places give matches away. Ashtrays, probably 10 dollars in the last 13 years. so, add about $3.77 to my annual total. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2006, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-smoking-cigarettes-cost-you-annually/340261/35 "2006-01-20T01:20:28Z")
[Moderator hat ON] **Mathochist**. If you have a problem, you know the drill. Hit the “report this post” button. Snarky comments in GQ just clog up the works. **UncleBeer**. I’m disapponted in your retort to Mathochist. You might have forgotten that you’re in GQ, but still out of line for this forum. You too could have reported the post. Don’t do this again. [/Moderator hat OFF] ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2006, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-smoking-cigarettes-cost-you-annually/340261/36 "2006-01-20T14:29:52Z")
Yer right. Sorry Sam. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-smoking-cigarettes-cost-you-annually/340261.md?page=1)