Stacker breaks down savings over smoking.
What you could buy for the price of a pack of cigarettes a day
The days of cigarette smoke filled board rooms and Mad Men-esque lounges are behind us. And while it is clear that anti-smoking campaigns have been effective at halving the overall smoking rate from 40% in 1965 to 20% in 2006, 41% of cigarettes consumers today still smoke a pack a day.
While smoking has been long known to cause serious health risks, a pack-a-day habit can also have an underrated financial impact for smokers. To help put this monetary burden in perspective, we analyzed 60 years of cigarette pack prices to determine how much wealth a pack-a-day smoker would accumulate if they instead invested those funds at 10% annual returns (roughly in line with the 90-year S&P 500 average gains).
Read on to see the financial cost of smoking and the spectacular items and experiences you could buy if you saved instead, ranging from sports cars to space rides.
58 years: Luxury home in Costa Rica
Total wealth accumulated: $428,787
1957 average retail price per pack: $0.24
1957 average annual consumption: 112.4 packs
What you could buy: a two-bedroom and 2.5-bathroom luxury home in Costa Rica overlooking Marino Ballena National Park and a Pre-Owned Rolex Men's Two-tone Watch.
57 years: Dickeys Barbecue Pit Franchise
Total wealth accumulated: $406,927
1958 average retail price per pack: $0.25
1958 average annual consumption: 114.5 packs
What you could buy: your own Dickeys Barbecue Pit franchise, ranked #1 in Fast Casual Top 100 Movers and Shakers 2016.
56 years: submarine boat hybrid
Total wealth accumulated: $386,052
1959 average retail price per pack: $0.26
1959 average annual consumption: 119.7 packs
What you could buy: The Amphibious Sub-Surface Watercraft with above and below surface cockpits for $300,000.
55 years: helicopter
Total wealth accumulated: $366,620
1960 average retail price per pack: $0.26
1960 average annual consumption: 123.8 packs
What you could buy: a 1985 Eurocopter AS 355F1 helicopter for $350,000 and a hand-carved luxury four-post bed.
54 years : LaFerrari superwatch
Total wealth accumulated: $348,609
1961 average retail price per pack: $0.26
1961 average annual consumption: 127.6 packs
What you could buy: the Hublot $300,000 MP-05 LaFerrari superwatch and enough change for a $48,000 container house.
53 years: two private islands
Total wealth accumulated: $332,236
1962 average retail price per pack: $0.27
1962 average annual consumption: 127.5 packs
What you could buy: Sarrat Island in Ontario, Canada with 1.5 acres for $189,178 and the 5-acre Echo Island Nova Scotia, Canada for $125,000, with just enough leftover for a genuine Italian leather 3-piece living room set for $13,263.
52 years: yacht
Total wealth accumulated: $316,895
1963 average retail price per pack: $0.27
1963 average annual consumption: 128.3 packs
What you could buy: 1999 53’ Carver motor yacht for $316,000.
51 years: Diamond smartphone
Total wealth accumulated: $303,000
1964 average retail price per pack: $0.28
1964 average annual consumption: 124.3 packs
What you could buy: ViPN’s diamond embedded smartphone for around $300,000.
49 years: compact electric car
Total wealth accumulated: $277,767
1966 average retail price per pack: $0.30
1966 average annual consumption: 124.5 packs
What you could buy: a Hammacher Schlemmer compact electric car with a top speed of 120 mph for $200,000 with enough left over for Bowers & Wilkins audiophile speakers for $60,000.
48 years: jetpack
Total wealth accumulated: $266,082
1967 average retail price per pack: $0.31
1967 average annual consumption: 125.3 packs
What you could buy: the Jetpack Aviation jetpack, set to go on sale in 2019 for $250,000, plus one night at the Palms Las Vegas Kingpin Suite with two private bowling lanes.
47 years: Flight into space
Total wealth accumulated: $255,281
1968 average retail price per pack: $0.32
1968 average annual consumption: 122.3 packs
What you could buy: a seat aboard the Virgin Galactic spaceship for $250,000 and a vintage 1980 MGB for $5,000.
46 years: amphibious car
Total wealth accumulated: $244,883
1969 average retail price per pack: $0.33
1969 average annual consumption: 121.1 packs
What you could buy: the world’s fastest amphibious car, featured on “Jay Leno's Garage” for $155,000, and this model raceway built into a 1969 Camaro for $85,000.
45 years: a night under the sea
Total wealth accumulated: $235,284
1970 average retail price per pack: $0.37
1970 average annual consumption: 118.3 packs
What you could buy: a night under the deep blue sea in Oliver’s Travels luxury submarine for $230,170 per night with enough left over for a Ninja 300 ABS motorcycle starting at $5,000.
43 years: aerial advertising
Total wealth accumulated: $216,005
1972 average retail price per pack: $0.40
1972 average annual consumption: 124.7 packs
What you could buy: four weeks of an airplane or helicopter displaying a custom banner advertising your brand for $216,000.
41 years: UFO house boat
Total wealth accumulated: $199,154
1974 average retail price per pack: $0.42
1974 average annual consumption: 129.9 packs
What you could buy: float the ocean with the UFO houseboat starting at $200,000.
40 years: flying hovercraft
Total wealth accumulated: $191,559
1975 average retail price per pack: $0.45
1975 average annual consumption: 130.9 packs
What you could buy: a flying hovercraft to conquer any terrain for $190,000.
39 years: racing simulator
Total wealth accumulated: $184,208
1976 average retail price per pack: $0.48
1976 average annual consumption: 133.2 packs
What you could buy: the world’s most realistic simulator used by Ford for around $185,000.
38 years: flying all terrain vehicle
Total wealth accumulated: $177,014
1977 average retail price per pack: $0.49
1977 average annual consumption: 133.6 packs
What you could buy: FAA-certified all-terrain vehicle for $140,000 and a 19th-century inspired musical wagon for $30,000.
37 years: the world's most expensive whiskey
Total wealth accumulated: $170,297
1978 average retail price per pack: $0.54
1978 average annual consumption: 133.8 packs
What you could buy: Dalmore '62 for $164,407 with enough left for the 65-inch Sony Z series TV for $6,699.
36 years: luxury vault
Total wealth accumulated: $163,557
1979 average retail price per pack: $0.57
1979 average annual consumption: 132 packs
What you could buy: a German engineered vault designed to keep your valuables safe with a built-in humidifier for $155,000 and a virtual adventure treadmill for $8,000.
35 years: tactical vehicle
Total wealth accumulated: $157,149
1980 average retail price per pack: $0.60
1980 average annual consumption: 132.6 packs
What you could buy: a tactical urban vehicle with all-wheel drive and thermal vision starting at $146,000 with enough left over for an automatic donut machine for $10,900.
34 years: Dennis Hopper's record collection
Total wealth accumulated: $150,994
1981 average retail price per pack: $0.63
1981 average annual consumption: 132.4 packs
What you could buy: classic albums from The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Fleetwood Mac, Leonard Cohen, Miles Davis and more from the personal collection of Dennis Hopper for $150,000.
33 years: not-your-grandfather’s Winnebago
Total wealth accumulated: $145,120
1982 average retail price per pack: $0.70
1982 average annual consumption: 130.7 packs
What you could buy: the all-new Winnebago specially designed for outdoor adventures starting at $134,799 and the Riddled Modern Designer Dining Table for $7,395.
32 years: gold
Total wealth accumulated: $139,211
1983 average retail price per pack: $0.82
1983 average annual consumption: 128.8 packs
What you could buy: a 100 oz Gold Bar for $134,806 by credit card and a life-sized inflatable foosball court for $4,595.
31 years: mini monster truck
Total wealth accumulated: $132,899
1984 average retail price per pack: $0.95
1984 average annual consumption: 122.7 packs
What you could buy: a mini monster truck with a four-cylinder Ford engine for $125,000 and all-in-one desk and chair sphere for $7,000.
30 years: the ultimate Tesla
Total wealth accumulated: $126,265
1985 average retail price per pack: $0.98
1985 average annual consumption: 122 packs
What you could buy: a maxed-out Model S P100D Tesla for $123,000 with enough for Fendi alligator handbag for $3,000.
29 years: designer piano
Total wealth accumulated: $120,036
1986 average retail price per pack: $1.05
1986 average annual consumption: 119.5 packs
What you could buy: an elegant and sleek digital piano that blurs the line between art and instrument for $105,000 with enough left over for a restored cold war era periscope binocular for $15,000.
28 years: swiss engineered turntable
Total wealth accumulated: $113,985
1987 average retail price per pack: $1.10
1987 average annual consumption: 116.8 packs
What you could buy: the Swiss-designed quad calibrated turntable with specialized settings for various genres of music for $94,000 and a Jaguar mini roadster for around $20,000.
27 Years: orchestra machine
Total wealth accumulated: $108,195
1988 average retail price per pack: $1.22
1988 average annual consumption: 112.9 packs
What you could buy: your own personal orchestra compacted into a mechanical instrument for $95,000 with enough left over for the world’s largest Pac-man machine for $10,995.
26 years: replica T-rex skeleton
Total wealth accumulated: $102,348
1989 average retail price per pack: $1.28
1989 average annual consumption: 106.4 packs
What you could buy: this 40-foot replica skeleton based off of actual fossils for $100,000.
25 years: personal submarine
Total wealth accumulated: $96,801
1990 average retail price per pack: $1.44
1990 average annual consumption: 104.4 packs
What you could buy: a Killer Whale Submarine that’s piloted like an aircraft for $90,000 and enough left over for the Hydro Powered Jetovator for $6,500.
24 years: a decade of river cruises
Total wealth accumulated: $91,103
1991 average retail price per pack: $1.53
1991 average annual consumption: 100.4 packs
What you could buy: a 23-day luxury river cruise through Europe every year for a decade.
23 years: robotic puppet
Total wealth accumulated: $85,591
1992 average retail price per pack: $1.74
1992 average annual consumption: 98.7 packs
What you could buy: a robotic remote-controlled puppet that can emulate emotions for $65,000 and a seven-person tricycle for $20,000.
22 years: tiny house
Total wealth accumulated: $79,921
1993 average retail price per pack: $1.84
1993 average annual consumption: 97.6 packs
What you could buy: the traveler XL tiny house starting at $78,500 and a motorized ride-on cooler for $1,317.
21 years: a fire-breathing dragon
Total wealth accumulated: $74,463
1994 average retail price per pack: $1.69
1994 average annual consumption: 96 packs
What you could buy: a remote-controlled fire-breathing dragon that can reach speeds of 70 mph for $60,000 and a personal sauna for $14,500.
19 years: self-propelled car
Total wealth accumulated: $65,573
1996 average retail price per pack: $1.80
1996 average annual consumption: 93.3 packs
What you could buy: a human-powered car that generates energy from handled pulled by its passengers for $60,000 with enough left over for a 16th-century replica suit of armor for $4,599.
18 years: The Hover Golf Cart
Total wealth accumulated: $61,564
1997 average retail price per pack: $1.85
1997 average annual consumption: 94.5 packs
What you could buy: avoid hazards on the course with The Golf Cart Hovercraft, featuring a 65-hp twin-cylinder Hirth engine for $58,000 with enough cash left for a 1960's Hans Olsen for Frem Rojle Dining Set for $3,200.
17 years: land to water ATV
Total wealth accumulated: $57,801
1998 average retail price per pack: $1.95
1998 average annual consumption: 93.4 packs
What you could buy: an amphibious ATV featuring a 140-hp BMW engine with a max speed of 45.
16 years: automated micro brewing system
Total wealth accumulated: $54,204
1999 average retail price per pack: $2.18
1999 average annual consumption: 89.9 packs
What you could buy: an automated professional microbrewery for $45,000 with enough left over for a MotoGP Deluxe Arcade Game for $8,799.
15 years: pub on wheels
Total wealth accumulated: $50,556
2000 average retail price per pack: $2.93
2000 average annual consumption: 85.2 packs
What you could buy: a pub on wheels powered by passengers pedaling for $50,000.
14 years: shipping container pool
Total wealth accumulated: $46,095
2001 average retail price per pack: $3.12
2001 average annual consumption: 81.8 packs
What you could buy: a custom-made pool made from a shipping container for $38,890 with enough left over for an augmented reality sandbox for $7,049.
13 years: a castle
Total wealth accumulated: $41,764
2002 average retail price per pack: $3.37
2002 average annual consumption: 79.8 packs
What you could buy: a month-long stay at a lakeside castle in Ireland for around $40,000.
12 years: one year of unlimited Porsches
Total wealth accumulated: $37,515
2003 average retail price per pack: $3.72
2003 average annual consumption: 78.7 packs
What you could buy: swap between any Porsche like the Cayenne, 911, and Panamera for $3,000 a month and add on the Husqvarna cordless Electric Robotic Automower for $1,500.
11 years: tranquility pod
Total wealth accumulated: $33,252
2004 average retail price per pack: $3.72
2004 average annual consumption: 76.2 packs
What you could buy: a tranquility pod crafted from fiberglass with relaxing lighting for $30,000 with enough left over for a floating tent for $1,500.
10 years: One of the worlds biggest camera lens
Total wealth accumulated: $29,383
2005 average retail price per pack: $3.74
2005 average annual consumption: 75 packs
What you could buy: the Sigma 200-500mm Ultra-Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon DSLR Cameras for a grand total of $25,999 and a custom made Galaxy sphere made of gold and silver for $3,200.
9 years: land cruiser tank
Total wealth accumulated: $25,842
2006 average retail price per pack: $3.89
2006 average annual consumption: 71 packs
What you could buy: the L421 Badonkadonk Land Cruiser/Tank for $20,000 paired with an inflatable Irish pub for $5,000.
8 years: three-wheeler
Total wealth accumulated: $22,496
2007 average retail price per pack: $3.93
2007 average annual consumption: 69.2 packs
What you could buy: the Polaris Slingshot three-wheeler for $20,000.
6 years: Super Bowl tickets
Total wealth accumulated: $16,437
2009 average retail price per pack: $4.35
2009 average annual consumption: 62.1 packs
What you could buy: four Super Bowl 52 tickets and an arcade coffee table for $3,819.
5 years: hand gesture control drone
Total wealth accumulated: $13,623
2010 average retail price per pack: $5.32
2010 average annual consumption: 56 packs
What you could buy: the world’s first drone to be controlled by hand and arm gestures for $13,000.
4 years: Zero Gravity Workstation
Total wealth accumulated: $10,499
2011 average retail price per pack: $5.55
2011 average annual consumption: 54.5 packs
What you could buy: take a load off with the ultimate reclining workstation for $9,995 and the fire-breathing dragon fire pit for $454.
3 years: safety shelter
Total wealth accumulated: $7,530
2012 average retail price per pack: $5.61
2012 average annual consumption: 52.9 packs
What you could buy: the Swisher SR84X144G ESP Safety Shelter with a capacity of up to 25 people for $7,299.
2 years: virtual wine management system
Total wealth accumulated: $4,805
2013 average retail price per pack: $5.65
2013 average annual consumption: 51 packs
What you could buy: store and manage your inventory with the Oenophile's Wine Cellar Management System for $4,000.
1 year: the perfect recliner
1 Year: the perfect recliner
Total wealth accumulated: $2,311
2014 average retail price per pack: $5.76
2014 average annual consumption: 48.8 packs
What you could buy: relax in the Perfect Chair Manual Glider Recliner that is specially molded for the human body for $2,199.
