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"The agency estimated the nation's medical costs related to smoking at $3.45 per pack, and said job productivity lost because of premature death from smoking amounted to $3.73 per pack, for a total of $7.18."

Once again, collectivism at it's finest. These are private costs, not born by "society." I chose how to spend my money and my employer measures my productivity and continues with that private contract as long as they deem me productive and of value. In addition, they are now assuming that smokers will work their entire lives, instead of retiring. Where we know that is bogus.

In addition, they said, "hey we aren't sure how much taxes are collected so we just can't offset any of our claim above..." Nonsense, socialists just being collectivists. The tax data is readily available for anyone wishing to take a serious look at the issue. In addition, if there is lost productivity due to early death, then of course there is uncollected SS and Medicare benefits, resulting in a savings to the only part of society that would bear the costs of smoking.

Keep trying to push an agenda, the socialists thank all of the collectivists for the teamwork.

I chose how to spend my money and my employer measures my productivity and continues with that private contract as long as they deem me productive and of value. In addition, they are now assuming that smokers will work their entire lives, instead of retiring. .... then of course there is uncollected SS and Medicare benefits, resulting in a savings to the only part of society that would bear the costs of smoking.

If you had read the Duke study posted above, they did account for decreased Social Security and Medicare payments due to early death....

And I'm not sure how you determined that this study assumed someone would never retire. If you look at the study, they don't do that, but rather examine it on normalized life-time earnings curve.

As for productivity, sure, that is a relationship guaged by your employer. But come on, be honest. The increased frequency of respiratory illnesses and the time spent on smoking breaks alone decrease productivity on the job. Just because someone isn't maximally efficient doesn't mean you're fired or even that you're not getting a raise. It just means lost productivity.