Smoking costs U.S. economy billions each year

Expenses directly attributable to death and disease caused by smoking are estimated to be costing the U.S. economy more than $301 billion annually, according to a study released recently by the American Lung Association. In the study, researchers at Penn State University calculate that smoking results in workplace productivity losses of $67.5 billion, costs of premature death totaling $117.1 billion and direct medical expenditures of $116.4 billion (see below).



The study, titled "Smoking cessation: the economic benefits," provides a nationwide cost-benefit analysis that compares the costs to society of smoking with the economic benefits of states providing smoking cessation coverage. The AMA fully supports the report, which provides state governments with compelling economic reasons to help smokers quit.

"Smoking cessation programs have been shown to successfully help smokers quit—lowering the risk for smoking-related diseases and the high costs associated with treating them," AMA Board of Trustees member Barbara McAneny, MD, said. "No other public health measure, including breast cancer or diabetes screening, sees the economic benefits of smoking cessation."

The AMA offers various online tools that physicians can use to help their patients quit smoking, as well as educational resources about the dangers of secondhand smoke. Among them are a webinar to help physicians counsel parents about secondhand and third-hand smoke exposure, a podcast to help physicians incorporate counseling about secondhand smoke into their practices, a self-learning curriculum that explains office-based prevention and intervention strategies regarding secondhand smoke and a module about managing tobacco dependence.

In addition, the AMA’s Healthier Life Steps™ program offers tips and resources to help physicians talk with patients about the dangers of tobacco use. The program provides patient self-assessment questionnaires, action plans, tracking calendars and other resources to help physicians counsel patients who smoke or use other tobacco products.

Learn more about what the AMA is doing to help physicians help their patients quit smoking, stop using other forms of tobacco and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke.