What does smoking cost?

People who smoke don’t usually want to count the cost of a pack or more of cigarettes a day. And those who suffer cancer, emphysema or other smoking-related diseases surely do not like to think of what their habit costs in terms of doctor and hospital visits.

But really, in individual terms, the worst “cost” is not monetary: It involves health and quality of life.

Costs matter, though, and with Medicaid in Arizona running short of cash, there reportedly is consideration there of levying an annual $50 “tax” on those who smoke, are overweight or suffer diabetes.

Budget 2011: Tobacco industry furious at tax rises

The tobacco industry has reacted with fury at tax increases that have heralded the arrival of the £7 packet of cigarettes in the UK.

From 6pm Wednesday night, duty on tobacco rose by 2pc above inflation. On top of this, a wider restructuring of duty added 50p to the price of a packet of "economy" cigarettes and 33p to "premium" cigarettes, meaning that poorer smokers will be disproportionately affected.