In the U.S.

• Smoking costs the U.S. more than $194 billion each year: $97.6 billion in productivity losses and $96.7 billion in smoking-related medical costs.
• Secondhand smoke exposure costs the U.S. more than $4.98 billion each year.
• The tobacco industry spends $13.4 billion on marketing in the U.S. each year.

In the state of Maryland

• Smoking-related adult medical costs were estimated at $2.2 billion in 2004.
• Secondhand smoke-related medical costs were estimated at $595.7 million in 2005.
• The annual cost for smoking by pregnant women was more than $3.1 million in 2004.
• Achieving Maryland’s goal of a sustained 50% reduction in smoking from year 2000 levels could mean yearly savings of $968.2 billion for the state.
• This doesn’t even take into account the human cost: 6,900 Marylanders die prematurely and 150,000 become sick each year due to tobacco related diseases.

More Numbers…

1. Your personal cost

The cost of a pack of cigarettes varies by State. Currently, the State cigarette tax in MD is $2.00 and the final retail price (what you pay in a store) is $5.52. If you’re a smoker, those numbers really add up.

Think of all the things you could buy—or do—with that money!

2. Who is using tobacco?

     • 21.6% of Maryland high school students use some form of tobacco product.
     • 7.5% of Maryland middle school students use some form of tobacco product.
     • 14.7% of Maryland high school students smoke cigarettes.
     • 3.7% of Maryland middle school students smoke cigarettes.

3. The Good News

Between 2000 and 2006, there was an 18% decrease in tobacco use.

Between 2000 and 2006, there was a 35% increase in the percentage of adults who were successful in quitting using tobacco products.

references | updated: 02.25.2009

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