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We all know that smoking can cost you your life, but what else will it cost you? Right now, it's costing me my self-respect! I finally quit after decades of smoking over the summer using Chantix and I've fallen off the wagon. Thankfully, I have a new prescription that I'll be picking up today. I refuse to let these damn things rule my life, especially while watching my ex-husband battle cancer.

That's why when I saw this new study from WalletHub.com pop up in my inbox this morning, I knew I had to share this information. Did you know that smoking costs the average Louisiana resident $1,809,805 over a lifetime? Truth! And WalletHub.com has the research to back it up. Check this out!

Source: WalletHub

When I think of all of the money I've wasted over the years, it makes me SICK! WalletHub.com estimates that there are 34.2 million tobacco users in the United States. Can you imagine what those costs are on an annual basis for the entire country? Insane! The metrics were derived by looking at the out of pocket cost of smoking, loss of financial opportunities, the cost for health care, the cost for lost income, etc... With all of that in mind, here are WalletHub.com's conclusions regarding the real cost of smoking in Louisiana.

The Financial Cost of Smoking in Louisiana (1=Lowest, 25=Avg.):

  • Out-of-Pocket Cost per Smoker – $102,142 (Rank: 15th)

  • Financial-Opportunity Cost per Smoker – $1,138,749 (Rank: 15th)

  • Health-Care Cost per Smoker – $113,254 (Rank: 3rd)

  • Income Loss per Smoker – $441,271 (Rank: 4th)

  • Other Costs per Smoker – $14,389 (Rank: 41st)

  • Total Cost Over Lifetime per Smoker: $1,809,805

  • Total Cost per Year per Smoker: $37,704

If those numbers don't scare the crap out of you as a smoker, something is wrong! Heck, if I had a spouse that smoked, I'd nag them to stop for sure! Wish me luck, this is turning into a battle royale!

[WalletHub.com]

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