Nilanjana Chakraborty

ET Bureau|

May 31, 2017, 03.00 PM IST

In a family where just one parent smokes, the other family members have less immunity and fall ill often

NEW DELHI: Everyone knows smoking is bad for health. Even smokers know this very well. But what the smokers don't know is this: smoking burns a bigger hole in your finances than you can imagine.

The World No-Tobacco Day rightly makes you aware about the health risks of smoking. But ET also tells you how it takes a big toll on your finances too.

Those who think smoking is just a petty expense need to think again. If you are 30 years old and smoke five cigarettes a day, you would lose more than Rs 1 crore by the time you retire at 60.

Apart from the Rs 1 crore you lose, there are indirect losses that can add up to a far bigger amount. Consider these:

Family medical expenses
Those who live with smokers become vulnerable to various health problems due to exposure to cigarette smoke. Children who grow up with a smoker parent can even develop seriously disabling diseases. In a family where just one parent smokes, the other family members have less immunity and fall ill often.

Less time to make money
Smoking reduces vitality as well as life span, which means a smoker will have to stop earning sooner than he would otherwise. Smoking can finally mean more years without earning.

Lagging in career
Smoking causes loss of vitality and leads to poor health in general. In middle age, a smoker feels more tired and less energetic than others. That's the time when a person is the busiest in his life and also bears bigger burden of work. A smoker might get overtaken by non-smoking peers or even juniors due to low energy levels and reduced stamina and concentration.