It pays to quit smoking
In 2022, almost 29 million U.S. adults smoked cigarettes. Around two-thirds said they wanted to quit, but only half had tried and only around 10% were successful.
Addiction to nicotine is tough to break -- and it requires help. Unfortunately, counseling and medications such as varenicline (a pill that eases withdrawal symptoms) or bupropion (an antidepressant) are only used by 40% of folks trying to stop -- and are not all that effective. And one study found that fewer people using nicotine vaping products (used by around 28% of quitters) are able to get off nicotine than folks who don't use them.
So, what works? Cold hard cash. It worked among Cleveland Clinic employees who were paid $800 when tests confirmed the absence of cotinine (a metabolite from nicotine) in their blood. Smoking dropped from 21% of participants to 0.2%! And now, a study in JAMA confirms its effectiveness. Participants were offered $600 over six months and 8% of them became tobacco-free; only 1% of those taking anti-smoking medications without the incentive were successful.
You may have no one but yourself who can offer financial incentives to quit -- but look at it this way. In New York, a pack of cigarettes costs $14.83. Smoke one pack daily for a year and you've spent $5,412.95. In Missouri, it's $8.01 a pack, or $2,923.65. If you quit, you've got quite a bankroll.
So, pay yourself the money saved so you can travel or to buy something you want! Get reinforcement for your efforts through the Freedom From Smoking program at lung.org.
Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.4YOUngevity.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at drmikerealage@gmail.com.
(c)2026 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2026 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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