Wednesday, November 28, 2007

The Real Cost of Smoking

How much is a pack of cigarettes really worth to you? How about $222 off the value of your life if you are a man. And $94 off the value of your life if you are a woman. Kind of scary, huh? It is higher for men because they earn more than women over their lifetimes and have a greater risk of dying from smoking.

The study by Vanderbilt professors Kip Viscusi and Joni Hersch takes into account the cost to the smokers themselves, based on the value that smokers put on their own lives, rather than the cost to society. The researchers note that smoking increases the chances of anyone dying at anytime in his/her life.

It sure wouldn't be worth it to me.

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