Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health, and the savings are large too: a pack-a-day habit at $9 a pack costs over $3,000 a year. A 2024 study from University College London estimated each cigarette shortens life expectancy by about 20 minutes.
How to use the Quit Smoking and Save Calculator
- Cigarettes per day
- Cigarettes per pack
- Price per pack
- Time smoke-free
- Expected annual return if invested
Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.
How it works
Enter how many cigarettes you smoked per day, the pack size and price, how long you stay smoke-free and an expected return if you invest the savings.
Tips
- Use the figures from your own bills and product labels – prices and appliance ratings vary widely.
- Look at yearly totals: small daily costs add up and make it easier to compare options.
- Round quantities up to whole packs, rolls or bulbs when you shop.
- Re-check the numbers when prices change; most results scale directly with the unit price.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Confusing watts (power) with watt-hours or kilowatt-hours (energy).
- Comparing prices without bringing them to the same unit first.
- Ignoring one-off costs such as installation, delivery or replacement parts.
Inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Cigarettes per day | A number |
| Cigarettes per pack | A number |
| Price per pack | Amount in your currency |
| Time smoke-free | In years |
| Expected annual return if invested | In % |
What each result means
- Cigarettes not smoked = [Cigarettes per day]×365.25×[Time smoke-free]
- Money saved per month = [Cigarettes per day]×30.44÷[Cigarettes per pack]×[Price per pack]
- Total money saved = [Money saved per month]×12×[Time smoke-free]
- Life expectancy regained (≈ 20 min per cigarette) = [Cigarettes not smoked]×20÷60÷24
Example values
How the main result changes when Cigarettes per day changes and everything else stays at the example values above:
| Cigarettes per day | Total money saved |
|---|---|
| 7.5 | 6,164.1 |
| 11.25 | 9,246.15 |
| 15 | 12,328.2 |
| 18.75 | 15,410.25 |
| 22.5 | 18,492.3 |
| 30 | 24,656.4 |
Formula
Cigarettes avoided = cigarettes per day × daysMoney saved = cigarettes ÷ pack size × pack priceInvested value = monthly savings compounded at the expected annual returnWorked example
Inputs — Cigarettes per day: 15; Cigarettes per pack: 20; Price per pack: $9; Time smoke-free: 5 years; Expected annual return if invested: 4 %.
Results — Cigarettes not smoked = 27,394; Money saved per month = $205.47; Total money saved = $12,328.20; Value if invested monthly = $13,622.45; Life expectancy regained (≈ 20 min per cigarette) = 380 days.
Frequently asked questions
How much does smoking cost a year?
A pack a day at $9 costs about $3,300 a year; at £15 a pack in the UK, about £5,500.
How soon does health improve after quitting?
Within 20 minutes heart rate drops; within a year heart-disease risk halves compared with a smoker.
Where can I get help to quit?
In the U.S. call 1-800-QUIT-NOW; in the UK search NHS Quit Smoking; many countries offer free support and medication.
What formula does the Quit Smoking and Save Calculator use?
Cigarettes avoided = cigarettes per day × days.