For Smokers, New York State Most Expensive in the Nation.

A recently published study by WalletHub found that smokers in New York State will spend an astounding $2.5 million as a result of their smoking habit over their lifetime—more than in any other state in the nation.

The costs are not just limited to the purchase of cigarettes—which comes to about $48,000 a year — and $248,000 in a lifetime, but the report also took into account the healthcare and other costs that come with smoking. Higher taxes on cigarettes in New York State ($4.35 a pack in 2019) is also higher than any other state.

“In addition to higher medical costs, smokers can often lose financial opportunities, and that includes the investment of that money into profitable ventures,” said one financial analyst.

To illustrate, he observes: “had that average of $195,000 over a lifetime been invested in the stock market, that smoker would be looking at a windfall of $1,700,000!”

While it is likely that New York smokers were already aware of the high costs of this vice, this study is perhaps one more incentive to think about quitting.