INDIANA – New data has revealed that the average smoker in the US could save around $385 between now and Christmas if they give up their habit – equivalent to $2,230 a year.
The findings come from vape manufacturer Youcan Vaporizer and are based on the cost of a 20-pack of cigarettes in every state, which was scaled against an average person’s consumption of 14 per day, to reveal how much smokers spend on their habit each month.
And it turns out that the typical smoker spends $6.11 on cigarettes each day, or $42.78 per week. Given there are just nine weeks until Christmas, Americans stand to save $385 if they quit in the next few days – or $336 if they give up smoking at the end of October.
The savings could be even higher for smokers who go through more than 14 cigarettes a day, with those who go through a 20-pack daily able to save a huge $550 if they stop now.
And while some smokers will consider this spending worth it, others may need the money more at this time of year. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), the average American is expected to spend $875 on Christmas gifts, food, and decorations.
That means that smokers who give up their habit can recoup over two-fifths (44%) of the typical cost of Christmas – which will go a long way given the rising cost of living.
New data has revealed that the average smoker in Indiana could save up to $353 by Christmas if they quit by the end of the month
The findings follow a comparison of the cost of cigarettes in each state, which found the average smoker in Indiana spends $5.60 on their habit daily
Some states could save more than others, with Indiana smokers able to recover 4.5% of their monthly wage by quitting
Potential savings before Christmas, depending on when you quit
| Weeks until Christmas | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Savings | $385 | $342 | $299 | $257 | $214 | $171 | $128 | $86 | $43 |
The data also shows that some parts of the US stand to save more than others, as the cost of maintaining the unhealthy habit was compared to each state’s average monthly wage.
Louisiana could save the most by quitting smoking as soon as possible, as the $243 spent on cigarettes each month is equivalent to 6.6% of the state’s typical $3.7k wage. The state also proved one of the top ten most expensive cigarettes, with a 20-pack priced at $11.
Following behind Louisiana is Alaska, as a 14-a-day supply of cigarettes is equivalent to $309 spent on the habit monthly – or 6.2% of the state’s average $4.9k monthly wage.
While Louisiana smokers could put a further $485 towards their Christmas costs if they quit smoking as soon as possible, those in Alaska could save as much as $617.
Rounding out the top three states that would benefit most from quitting is Montana, as the typical smoker’s expenditure of $221 on cigarettes each month (based on a consumption of 14 a day) is equivalent to 5.8% of the average wage ($3.8k per month).
Meanwhile, smokers in South Dakota could recoup 5.5% of their monthly wage if they gave up smoking, as they spend $198 monthly on cigarettes. This means that before Christmas, they could save up to $397 – depending on how early they quit.
Smokers in Connecticut spend an average of $287 maintaining their habit each month, which means they could save 5.5% of their wage ($5.2k) by stopping smoking. If they do so soon, this means they could put aside an extra $573 towards the cost of Christmas.
Top ten states that could recoup the most by stopping smoking
| Rank | State | Monthly Cigarette Spend (14 a day) | Monthly Savings as % of Average Salary | Total Before Christmas Savings |
| 1 | Louisiana | $243 | 6.60% | $485 |
| 2 | Alaska | $309 | 6.20% | $617 |
| 3 | Montana | $221 | 5.80% | $441 |
| 4 | South Dakota | $198 | 5.50% | $397 |
| 5 | Connecticut | $287 | 5.50% | $573 |
| 6 | Wisconsin | $221 | 5.40% | $441 |
| 7 | Maryland | $265 | 5.30% | $529 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $287 | 5.20% | $573 |
| 9 | Vermont | $221 | 5.20% | $441 |
| 10 | Rhode Island | $243 | 5.10% | $485 |
On the other end of the scale, the state that could recoup the lowest sum – but still something – is Missouri, with the typical $116 weekly cigarette spend equating to just 2.9% of the state’s average monthly wage ($4k) – but this is still a positive saving.
In fact, over half (53%) of the states analyzed could recoup more of their monthly wage than the national average of 4.5% – which is equivalent to $216, or 25% of the cost of Christmas.
But despite some smokers partaking in temporary abstinence campaigns, many will find it too challenging to give up their habit, despite the benefits. But with the festive season approaching, prioritizing positive incentives like additional funds can make all the difference.
Speaking on the findings, Louis Lou, a spokesperson from the researcher Youcan Vaporizer, said, “Incentivizing people to quit smoking can make or break the goal for many, especially those who aren’t motivated enough by improving their individual health and reducing healthcare costs. Therefore, comparing a quit date to the potential financial rewards can help you frame your goal in a more positive light – and help you stick to it.
Creating a support system that can keep you accountable for your efforts can also prove helpful – perhaps you can set a challenge between you and your peers to see who can save the most by cutting down or quitting smoking. And while different people respond to different motivations, considering various strategies like this may make or break your success.”
Full ranking below
| State | Per Month | Savings as % of Salary | Savings Before Christmas |
| Louisiana | $243 | 6.6 | $485 |
| Alaska | $309 | 6.2 | $617 |
| Montana | $221 | 5.8 | $441 |
| South Dakota | $198 | 5.5 | $397 |
| Connecticut | $287 | 5.5 | $573 |
| Wisconsin | $221 | 5.4 | $441 |
| Maryland | $265 | 5.3 | $529 |
| Massachusetts | $287 | 5.2 | $573 |
| Vermont | $221 | 5.2 | $441 |
| Rhode Island | $243 | 5.1 | $485 |
| Nevada | $198 | 5.0 | $397 |
| Arkansas | $179 | 5.0 | $357 |
| Oklahoma | $187 | 4.9 | $375 |
| Pennsylvania | $209 | 4.9 | $419 |
| Oregon | $219 | 4.9 | $438 |
| Minnesota | $226 | 4.9 | $452 |
| Kansas | $183 | 4.7 | $366 |
| New Mexico | $185 | 4.7 | $370 |
| Tennessee | $179 | 4.7 | $358 |
| New York | $250 | 4.7 | $501 |
| Maine | $189 | 4.7 | $379 |
| Arizona | $198 | 4.7 | $397 |
| Colorado | $221 | 4.6 | $441 |
| Indiana | $176 | 4.5 | $353 |
| Mississippi | $149 | 4.5 | $298 |
| Ohio | $183 | 4.5 | $367 |
| West Virginia | $160 | 4.4 | $320 |
| Wyoming | $181 | 4.4 | $362 |
| Texas | $183 | 4.3 | $366 |
| California | $221 | 4.3 | $441 |
| Utah | $176 | 4.3 | $353 |
| Washington | $221 | 4.3 | $441 |
| Georgia | $176 | 4.3 | $353 |
| Kentucky | $155 | 4.2 | $310 |
| South Carolina | $154 | 4.2 | $309 |
| Delaware | $187 | 4.1 | $375 |
| Idaho | $154 | 4.1 | $309 |
| Alabama | $154 | 4.1 | $309 |
| Michigan | $165 | 3.9 | $331 |
| Illinois | $176 | 3.8 | $353 |
| North Carolina | $154 | 3.8 | $309 |
| Iowa | $150 | 3.8 | $300 |
| Nebraska | $150 | 3.7 | $300 |
| Florida | $143 | 3.6 | $287 |
| New Jersey | $176 | 3.5 | $353 |
| Virginia | $164 | 3.5 | $329 |
| North Dakota | $143 | 3.4 | $287 |
| New Hampshire | $144 | 3.2 | $289 |
| Missouri | $116 | 2.9 | $232 |
