Massachusetts Ranks Among Nation’s Most Expensive States for Smokers

Lighting up cigarettes is burning more than just tobacco for Massachusetts residents. A new analysis from the personal finance website WalletHub finds that the average smoker in the Bay State loses roughly $5.36 million over a lifetime from smoking-related expenses, placing Massachusetts sixth costliest in the nation for smokers.

WalletHub’s study looked at the economic toll of smoking across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, factoring in out-of-pocket costs for cigarettes, healthcare expenses, income losses, and other costs linked to smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke. Their findings estimate that Massachusetts smokers spend an average of $111,680 every year as a result of the habit.

Breaking down the numbers further, WalletHub found that the out-of-pocket cost for cigarettes alone totals about $219,701 per smoker over a lifetime. The financial opportunity cost, or money smokers could have earned or saved if they’d invested those funds instead, is even higher—roughly $3.85 million. Health care costs add another $395,805, while income losses come in at around $875,586.

The study arrives as Massachusetts continues to see progress in cutting smoking rates, though health officials say there’s more work to do. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 9% of adults in Massachusetts smoked cigarettes in 2023—below the national average of 11.5% and part of a long-term downward trend.

Public health initiatives, including the state’s 2020 ban on flavored tobacco products, have contributed to that decline. Massachusetts was the first state in the U.S. to enact such a restriction, and health advocates credit the move with steering many young people away from nicotine use.

Still, the financial strain of smoking remains significant. Beyond direct costs, WalletHub’s analysis notes that smokers face higher insurance premiums and reduced earning potential due to health-related absences or early deaths.

While the state has made strides in promoting cessation programs and expanding access to nicotine replacement therapies, experts say the economic findings serve as a wake-up call. For Massachusetts residents who smoke, quitting could be one of the smartest financial—and health—decisions they ever make.