Jump to full article: AAP (Australian Associated Press) (au), 2009-06-19
Intro: AUSTRALIAN smokers burn a collective $7.4 billion hole in their pockets every year to sustain their habit.
The nation's average smoker lights up 14 cigarettes a day, research shows, and this cost over the year totals more than $2500.
The poll by Galaxy Research also shows smokers lose a significant amount of productive time - as nipping out for ciggie adds up to 17 days over the year.
"Time expenditure is a great example of how smoking affects the quality of life of more than just the smoker," said Newcastle-based psychiatrist and addiction expert Dr Allan White. . . .
The remaining third rated themselves as social or "occasional" smokers - but many were still smoking up to six cigarettes daily.
The poll also found Australia's 2.9 million smokers intended to make cost savings in other areas before cutting back on cigarettes during the economic slowdown.
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