There’s a saying in smokers’ circles that if the nicotine doesn’t get you, the cost of a pack of cigarettes will. There’s some justification for this if you’ve ever found yourself caught in a pack-a-day habit.
As workers struggle to figure out how to raise their earnings, smokers know they can add $2,000 or more per year to their take-home pay simply by learning how to live without cigarettes.
But that operates on the assumption you’re paying the average US cost ($6.28). It’s actually much higher in some locations.
And in the following article, we’ll be discussing why. But first, let’s examine the state of cigarette pricing throughout the world.
Where Are the Most Expensive Cigarettes?
Tobacco prices play only a small role in the overall cost of cigarettes. That’s because different cities, states, and countries will influence the overall prices.
Few places, if any, are higher than Australia. A pack in the Land Down Under can go anywhere from $33.50 ($22.92 US) to $40.95 ($28.02 US). Good luck making that a pack-a-day habit!
Why So High?
This is where fluctuation comes into play. Even though you’re guaranteed to pay quite a bit of money for cigarettes, a single pack won’t cost you as much in a place like Arkansas as it will in large metropolitan centers. That’s likely due to the following factors:
1. Production Costs
Some will try to lay it at the feet of rising production costs. But actually, things like the cost of packaging, marketing, and how many cigarettes are in a pack have only a small part to play. You’ll see that when we get into the next section.
2. Taxes
As cigarette prices by state vary wildly, it becomes apparent that taxation plays a central role in fluctuating costs. Cigarette manufacturers of today are required to add federal, state, and sometimes city taxes to the overall cost of their products.
The added surcharges artificially inflate the retail cost, leaving smokers to foot the overall bill. For customers addicted to smoking, it often feels like they’re being punished for a health condition that’s difficult to control.
3. Buying in Bulk
Of course, the question of how much is a pack of cigarettes has a different answer when you’re buying in bulk. Consumers usually get a bit of a discount when they buy by the carton instead of the pack for the same reason they get good deals at Costco.
Buying in bulk lowers the sales and inventory risks for manufacturers as well as overhead. The lower cost is passed along to the consumer, in part.
4. Societal Reaction
The last culprit for fluctuating prices when you run a “cigarette prices near me” search is how society views smoking. That’s reflected in the number of smokers there are, the existing and pending legislation that governs smoking, and any legal action the manufacturer may be facing due to the nature of their products.
All of these things have a very real financial impact. The end-user usually bears the brunt of it.
The Cost of a Pack of Cigarettes Is Going Up
Remember the factors listed above the next time you see the cost of a pack of cigarettes differ drastically from one area to the next. And don’t expect the tide to turn downward anytime soon.
That’s because legislators care less about the money they’re getting from selling cigarettes and more about curbing usage. Agree or disagree, that’s where we are.
Got any more questions or curiosities on the drug market? Check out some of our other posts while you’re here.
