Have you ever wondered how much smoking costs an individual each year or even in a lifetime? WalletHub recently published an article this topic: “The Real Cost of Smoking by State.”
According to the American Lung Association, tobacco use accounts for nearly half a million deaths in the U.S. each year and is the leading cause of lung cancer.
In an effort to encourage the estimated 36.5 million tobacco users in the U.S. to quit smoking, WalletHub calculated the potential monetary losses brought on by smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke. These losses include both the lifetime and annual cost of a cigarette pack per day, health care expenditures, income losses and other costs.
“Respiratory therapists have significant interactions with patients each day, which gives them the unique opportunity to engage in conversations about smoking,” said Shawna Strickland, PhD, RRT, FAARC, AARC associate executive director of member services. “Patients who haven’t yet realized the health affects of smoking may find this cost information to be a great motivator. The information WalletHub offers as well as AARC resources, such as our Tobacco and Smoking Cessation Training course, can serve as great tools to assist respiratory therapists in these smoking conversations.”
More ways to help your patients
The AARC offers members a variety of tobacco resources to help their patients.
Looking for more ideas on how to help your patients quit smoking? From added treatment efforts to providing weekly meetings, read how your colleagues are helping patients ‘kick the habit.’
Email newsroom@aarc.org with questions or comments, we’d love to hear from you.
Heather Willden is the Director of Governance and Strategic Initiatives for the AARC where she works with state affiliates as the HOD liaison. She also manages DEI efforts and strategic initiatives. Connect with her about these topics by email, AARConnect or LinkedIn. When she's not working, you can find her podcasting with her husband, exploring new hiking trails, photographing, and spending time with her family.
