Smoking and its huge social expenses

Based on the European science blog Lab Spaces, the actual cost of a pack of smokes far exceeds the general public estimation. A study by Spain’s University of Cartagena (UPCT) shows that the average per pack cost (€3 to €4, or $ 4.18 to $ 5.57) is to be expected, however the real cost amounts to €107 ($ 149) for men and €75 ($ 105) for women on a per pack basis. It is frightening. The explanation for the high numbers should prove to be priceless for anybody who cares about saving cash and staying alive.

The real expense of a pack of smokes is an early death

Angel Lopez Nicolas, a UPCT researcher, explained that “The price one pays for each pack of cigarettes at a newsstand is only a really small price of the true price that smokers pay for their habit.” Mortality costs are associated with tobacco which really raises the risk of passing away. The Vale of a Statistical Live (VSL) is exactly what is used as the metric. This metric analyzes what the cost-benefits are. The price that smokers are “prepared to pay in order to cut back their risk of death” annually is €3.78 million, which is about $ 5.26 million, for smokers, in contrast to €2.91 million, which is about $ 4.05 million, for non-smokers, Lopez Nicolas explains.

According to Lopez, “one must not confuse the cost of premature death with the cost of healthcare. The cost of premature death is borne by the smokers themselves.” No payday advance or comparable short term loan would be able to cover those expenses.

The expense of cigarette smoking really

Factors like taxes and anti-smoking legislation as it applies in public areas are considered to be good self-control devices for smokers. There is a study with the UPCT. It weighs the benefits of smoking deterrence and also the deficit that comes with “well-being cuts.” In the end, researchers found the well-being losses to be significantly greater than what numbers in the study could suggest.

Articles cited

Lab Spaces

labspaces.net/106891/Real_price_of_each_pack_of_cigarettes_is_more_than_____euros