What you could buy for the price of a pack of cigarettes a day
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 .
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 ).
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.
60 years: 2017 Rolls-Royce Phantom
Total wealth accumulated: $477,454
1955 average retail price per pack: $0.23
1955 average annual consumption: 108.3 packs
What you could buy: a brand-new for as low as $460,000 with enough left over for the .
59 years: 2017 Ford GT
Total wealth accumulated: $452,226
1956 average retail price per pack: $0.23
1956 average annual consumption: 108.3 packs
What you could buy: one for $450,000 and a maxed out Apple .
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 overlooking Marino Ballena National Park and a .
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 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: 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 helicopter for $350,000 and a .
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 .
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: in Ontario, Canada with 1.5 acres for $189,178 and the 5-acre Nova Scotia, Canada for $125,000, with just enough leftover for a genuine Italian leather 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’ 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 for around $300,000.
50 years: house
Total wealth accumulated: $289,850
1965 average retail price per pack: $0.28
1965 average annual consumption: 126.8 packs
What you could buy: a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom house located an hour outside of San Antonio, Texas for $289,850.
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 with a top speed of 120 mph for $200,000 with enough left over for 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 , 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 for $250,000 and a 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 , featured on "Jay Leno's Garage" for $155,000, and this model raceway built into a 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 for $230,170 per night with enough left over for a starting at $5,000.
44 years: batmobile
Total wealth accumulated: $225,414
1971 average retail price per pack: $0.39
1971 average annual consumption: 121.9 packs
What you could buy: an authentic replica of the for $200,000 with enough left over for a for $25,000.
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 advertising your brand for $216,000.
42 years: Arnold Schwarzenegger
Total wealth accumulated: $207,210
1973 average retail price per pack: $0.40
1973 average annual consumption: 126.3 packs
What you could buy: book the well-known actor and former governor of California for around $200,000.
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 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 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 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 for $140,000 and a 19th-century inspired 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: for $164,407 with enough left for the 65-inch 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 designed to keep your valuables safe with a built-in humidifier for $155,000 and a 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 with all-wheel drive and thermal vision starting at $146,000 with enough left over for an 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 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 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 for $134,806 by credit card and a life-sized 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 with a four-cylinder Ford engine for $125,000 and all-in-one 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 for $123,000 with enough for 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 that blurs the line between art and instrument for $105,000 with enough left over for a restored cold war era 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 with specialized settings for various genres of music for $94,000 and a 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 compacted into a mechanical instrument for $95,000 with enough left over for the world’s largest 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 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 that’s piloted like an aircraft for $90,000 and enough left over for the 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 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 that can emulate emotions for $65,000 and a 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 starting at $78,500 and a 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 that can reach speeds of 70 mph for $60,000 and a personal sauna for $14,500.
20 years: hot air balloon
Total wealth accumulated: $69,890
1995 average retail price per pack: $1.76
1995 average annual consumption: 95.8 packs
What you could buy: a with T Basket for around $69,000.
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 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 , featuring a 65-hp twin-cylinder Hirth engine for $58,000 with enough cash left for a Set for .
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 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 for $45,000 with enough left over for a 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 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 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 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: like the Cayenne, 911, and Panamera for $3,000 a month and add on the Husqvarna cordless 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 crafted from fiberglass with relaxing lighting for $30,000 with enough left over for a 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 for Canon DSLR Cameras for a grand total of $25,999 and a custom made 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 for $20,000 paired with an 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 for .
7 years: 40-acres of land
Total wealth accumulated: $19,424
2008 average retail price per pack: $4.20
2008 average annual consumption: 64.6 packs
What you could buy: 40-acres of rollings hills in Pershing, Nevada for $19,000.
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 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 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 for $9,995 and the 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 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 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 that is specially molded for the human body for $2,199.
