Tobacco use costs New York’s taxpayers billions

Tobacco use costs New York state over $8 billion a year in smoking-related health care costs, including $3 billion in annual Medicaid costs, which is passed on to the taxpayers.

These costs are not only measured in dollars, but in human lives. Tobacco use kills more than 24,500 adults in New York state annually, which is 70 New Yorkers a day.

Reducing tobacco use in New York is an effective investment in the state’s future for the health and economic toll on taxpayers.

If you are interested in quitting or helping a loved one quit, call the New York State Smoker’s Quitline at 1-866-NY-QUITS or visit the website, nysmokefree.com.

Justin Hladik
Johnstown

The writer is program coordinator for Reality Check HFM Catholic Charities of Fulton and Montgomery counties.