The money side of quitting
Cigarette prices vary a lot by state and country because of taxes, but a pack a day at $9 is about $3,300 a year. The health benefits of quitting are the bigger reward, and the money is a powerful extra motivation: within a year, a pack-a-day smoker has enough for a holiday, and over ten years the savings, invested, could pass $45,000.
Smokers also often pay more for life and health insurance, so the true saving after quitting tends to be higher than the price of the cigarettes alone.
What the savings could grow into
At $9 a pack, seven packs a week costs about $3,276 a year. If someone who quits puts that money into an index fund each month instead, at an average 7% return it grows to about $47,000 in 10 years and around $142,000 in 20. That is enough for a house deposit or a large share of a retirement fund, from money that was previously going up in smoke.
There are indirect savings too. Life insurance premiums for smokers are usually much higher than for non-smokers, and health plans in the US marketplace are allowed to charge tobacco users more. Quitting can also lower dental and medical bills over time. Those costs vary too much to include in the calculator, but they add to the case. The cost of a habit calculator works for any regular expense.
Common questions
How much could I save in 10 years by quitting?
A pack a day at $9 is about $32,800 over 10 years in cash, or about $47,000 if the money is invested monthly at 7%.
How much does a pack-a-day habit cost per year?
At $9 a pack, about $3,300. In high-tax places it can be well over $5,000.
Where can I get help to quit?
In the US, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit smokefree.gov. Many countries have similar free services.
This calculator gives estimates for planning. Real returns, rates and prices change, so treat the result as a guide rather than a promise. Read how we build and check our calculators.