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While health and well-being are a priority in budgeting, there’s no denying that healthcare can be costly, especially when only a few employers can provide a comprehensive health insurance program. This is why we wrote a previous post on the ‘Smart Ways to Reduce Your Healthcare Costs This Year’ to help budget-conscious individuals access quality yet affordable care. Besides comparing medication prices and asking for alternative medications, you can also save on healthcare costs by adopting a healthy lifestyle.

This entails quitting smoking, a habit that is expensive not only due to rising cigarette prices but also healthcare costs and productivity losses. In this article, we take a look at the financial and health costs of smoking, alongside what smokers can do to kick the habit and effectively lower their expenses.

The true costs of smoking

As previously mentioned, the price of cigarettes can be a contributing factor to the financial costs of smoking. This is especially true considering tobacco company Altria recently announced a price hike for its cigarette brands. Specifically, the company will implement a price hike of 15 cents per pack for non-menthol Marlboro Basic, L&M, and L&M Simple Tobacco, which is roughly a 2-3% increase.

Although this undeniably puts a dent in smokers’ wallets, the true—and more significant—costs of smoking lie in healthcare bills due to tobacco’s adverse effects. Survey data published in Tobacco Control notes that tobacco-related health issues accounted for an average of $876 healthcare spend among white smokers, which is roughly 12% of their total medical expenses. However, the proportion of tobacco-related medical care spending is higher for racial minorities who smoke, as they spend twice as much at $1,509 (25%).

At a national scale, lost productivity, such as missed work days, due to smoking-related health complications amounts to nearly $185 billion. As these figures indicate a logical reason to quit, smokers can enhance their success rates through the tips in the following section.

Ways to kick the habit

 

Cigarette alternatives

Some smokers may switch to electronic cigarettes when trying to quit tobacco, but these can also be expensive due to the cost of the device and maintenance supplies. Therefore, smokers can opt for emerging cigarette alternatives like nicotine pouches, which supply nicotine orally without emitting any spit, odor, or smoke. ZYN’s nicotine pouches, designed with Americans in mind, are gaining popularity due to their tobacco-free properties and menthol-based flavors like spearmint and wintergreen, and are meeting the high demand for alternatives in the US market. Additionally, these pouches are in 3mg and 6mg strengths for smokers with varying nicotine needs and are available at online retailers for competitive prices for higher cost-savings.

Nicotine replacement therapy

Smokers can also rely on traditional, evidence-based smoking cessation approaches such as nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). Among the widely accessible NRT products are Rite-Aid nicotine patches, which can reduce withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting smoking, such as intense nicotine cravings. Patches have a transdermal (over-the-skin) delivery format, with the Rite-Aid brand, in particular, offering the patches at 7, 14, and 21mg dosages for an extended-release over 24 hours. While there may be side effects like skin irritation, the success of patch use lies in combining it with a behavioral intervention for smoking cessation.

Quitlines

Quitlines can serve as the behavioral intervention that complements the effects of cigarette alternatives and NRT on cravings and withdrawals. The most accessible quitline for smoking cessation is 1-800-QUIT-NOW, which connects you to free, evidence-based support like counseling and coaching to help deal with and overcome the challenges of quitting smoking. Most state quitlines also offer free NRT and medication for the first two weeks of cessation treatment to enhance quit rates.

In essence, quitting smoking can be an effective way to reduce healthcare costs and improve your overall health and quality of life. Continue reading Budget Savvy Diva for more budget-friendly tips!