California is paying out $8 billion every year in smoking related health care

The problem of cigarette smoking is far more common in poorer socio economic groups of 1st world countries. For example in the United States poor Americans are far more likely to start smoking, to be current cigarette smokers and much less likely to actually quit the habit. Smoking is also part of the problem which keeps these people at the bottom of the financial ladder as not only do they have to fund their cigarette smoking habit which is heavily taxed but also they are far more probable to suffer from illness which costs them money in healthcare expenditure. It is estimated that twice as many people in poorer socio economic groups smoke compared to people in higher socio economic groups.

One survey done in California shows the state of California is paying out over $8 billion every year in health care expenses directly related to smoking. The statistics also show that this works out to be about $700 per family. The survey also looked at the impact that smoking has on businesses and worked out the average smoker will cost his employer around $1,700 in productivity losses every year and also around $1,600 in extra medical expenses. This means that by the simple action of employing a smoker you could be costing your business almost $3,500 every year.

Health care experts and people responsible for the health of the United Kingdom should be concious that the smoking problem is much more concentrated in these poorer socio economic groups and therefore it is essential that they tailor their anti smoking messages to connect with these people. While the increase in taxes on cigarettes has had some impact on reducing the amount of smoking it has failed to act as a serious deterrent to people who are heavily addicted to cigarettes and some people say that by taxing cigarettes heavily you are just adding another tax burden to the poor which is unfair.