The Irony of the Stop Smoking Movement

The arguments against smoking are many. I am a major proponent of smoking cessation for the environmental factor as well as the mere annoyance factor. Smoking pollutes the air with countless chemicals, not to mention the billions of cigarettes that find their way onto the ground. Second hand smoke is just bothersome and perilous.

Another argument against smoking is the cost on the healthcare system due to smoking. As compared to non-smokers, the cost of healthcare for smokers is higher at every age range. This difference in cost is as high as 40% for 65-74 year olds.

So if everyone quits smoking then healthcare cost should decrease? Well, yes..... at first.

The irony comes in because the cost of healthcare will decrease shortly after everyone quits smoking. However, after 10-15 years, the cost of healthcare will actually increase. Why?...... because the average non-smoker lives 6-7 years longer than a smoker. That's approximately 48 million people who would live 6-7 years longer. Imagine those health care costs.