Indiana - PENN State study on Smoking Cessation: the Economic Benefits..

October 4, 2010 - The American Lung Association (ALA) recently released a new study emphasizing that helping smokers quit not only saves lives but also offers economic benefits to states. Penn State University researchers provided a nationwide cost-benefit analysis comparing the costs to society of smoking with the economic benefits of states offering cessation coverage.

Smoking Cessation: the Economic Benefits.. View of National Data and View the State Listings..

Here are some of the Indiana smoking statistics researchers found:

» Each year, tobacco use kills 9,700 people in Indiana.

» Smoking results in annual costs to the Indiana economy of more than $7.7 billion. This includes workplace productivity losses of $2 billion, costs of premature death at $3 billion and direct medical expenses of $2.6 billion.

» Retail cost of a pack of cigarettes is $5.13, but the real cost to society and the state's economy is $15.90 per pack.

» By providing smoking- cessation treatments, Indiana can annually save $5 million in direct health-care expenditures and $9.8 million in workplace productivity losses.

Reference: Financial toll of smoking explored by Barb Berggoetz, IndyStar.com, 10/3/2010.

A few Indiana related news briefs:
Indiana - again statewide smoking ban passes house but ban still in doubt..;
Indiana - no statewide smoking ban this year for, "The ash tray of the Midwest"..;
Indiana - weak statewide smoke ban being considered..;
Indianapolis, Indiana - tobacco control people are furious - city used as test market again..;
Elkhart, Indiana - smoking ban stands no exemption for bars..;
Indiana - fire-safe cigarettes - July 1, 2009..;
Children in Indiana starting to use smokless tobacco products..;
Congratulations to the Great State of Indiana..;