This analysis indicates that over a three-year period, expenditures for smoking cessation programs in the range of $144 to $804 per smoker attempting to quit should be fully offset by healthcare cost savings in a typical commercial population. Greater cost savings will likely occur within special populations such as pregnant women and persons with cardiac conditions. Greater cost savings will also likely occur for persons who remain in the health plan longer than the average of three years assumed in this study. In summary, the research indicates that an investment in programs designed to reduce adult smoking will lead to improved health outcomes, resulting in lower healthcare costs and more affordable health insurance premiums.
