3 ms·

I suspect that is a myth. Treating lung cancer isn't cheap.

• nemo44x 5y ago
  But dying before you collect social benefits is. Plus you have to consider the additional taxes smokers pay. In the end on average smokers are a net benefit to society financially.
  • Ma8ee 5y ago
    But you have to take into account lost productivity, not only from people who died, but also people with varying degrees of illness such as Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. So I’d like to see a source for the statement that smokers are a net benefit to society. To me it sounds too much like one of many myths the tobacco industry spread.
    • nemo44x 5y ago
      Here’s some research: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejm199710093371506 https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejm199710093371506 I think if you factor in not just healthcare but benefit payouts and additional taxes paid we find smokers are persecuted minority that more than pays their way. And they have a good chance of really suffering those last 10 years of their shorter life.
      • Ma8ee 5y ago
        That study still ignores lost productivity from smokers. If you are on sick leave, you don’t pay taxes, and if you are dead you pay neither taxes or for insurance.
        • nemo44x 5y ago
          I think most people get sick from smoking at or near retirement age. Early 60’s seems like when lung disease begins to become noticeable. So these are the years people go from productive to a net societal expense as they collect social security and Medicare. I guess we don’t really know. But I think it’s probably true that smokers don’t end up costing society anymore than non-smokers overall. Saying that, smoking is a ridiculous thing and I’ve seen how it not only steals years but makes those final 10 years progressively worse and torturous.