Most people are aware that smoking is harmful to their health, but a new study suggests it could also take a toll on their financial well-being. Research from Finland reveals that smoking during early adulthood can significantly hinder career progression and earning potential, with effects that persist throughout one’s working life.
While smoking rates have declined since the 1990s, the habit remains surprisingly common in high-income countries. As of 2019, 18% of women and 27% of men in these nations still smoke. Although most smokers are aware of the health risks, they may not realize how their habit could be undermining their professional success and financial stability.
The study, published in *Nicotine and Tobacco Research*, analyzed data from nearly 2,000 Finnish adults to examine how smoking habits in early adulthood influenced long-term career outcomes. The findings were striking: for every "pack-year" of smoking (equivalent to smoking one pack of cigarettes daily for a year), individuals experienced an average 1.8% decrease in earnings and were employed for 0.5% fewer years over the study period.
“Smoking in early adulthood is closely tied to long-term earnings and employment, with less-educated individuals facing the most severe consequences,” said lead author Jutta Viinikainen from the University of Jyväskylä. “These findings underscore the need for policies that address the hidden economic costs of smoking and encourage healthier behaviors.”
The research, part of the *Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study*, tracked participants’ smoking habits and career trajectories from 2001 to 2019. It focused on adults aged 24 to 39 at the start of the study, using "pack-years" as a measure to assess the cumulative impact of smoking on career outcomes. This metric accounts for both the amount and duration of smoking, providing a clearer picture of its long-term effects.
The study also highlighted how smoking’s impact varied across demographic groups. Younger smokers with lower education levels experienced the steepest declines in earnings, while older smokers in the same group faced the most significant reductions in employment years. This suggests that smoking’s effects on career success evolve differently depending on age and education.
For younger workers, smoking appeared to create immediate barriers to earning potential, possibly due to reduced productivity or employer bias. Meanwhile, older workers struggled to maintain steady employment as the long-term health consequences of smoking began to take a toll, particularly in physically demanding jobs more common among those with less formal education.
The study also offered a glimmer of hope: reducing smoking by just five pack-years (equivalent to smoking one pack daily for five years) could potentially increase earnings by 9%. This substantial boost in earning power could have a significant impact on a career, influencing everything from lifestyle choices to retirement savings.
However, the research also raised concerns about a potential feedback loop of disadvantage. While those with lower education levels faced greater economic consequences from smoking, the relationship is complex and influenced by multiple factors. This suggests that smoking may exacerbate existing socioeconomic disparities, making it harder for individuals to improve their economic standing.
Smoking’s impact on physical fitness and performance likely plays a role, especially in jobs requiring manual labor or stamina. Frequent breaks for cigarettes or shortness of breath can reduce productivity, leading to slower career advancement and lower earnings over time.
Encouragingly, the study found that quitting smoking could help mitigate these negative effects, particularly in terms of employment stability among less-educated workers. This indicates that it’s never too late to improve career prospects by quitting smoking.
In an era where career success increasingly depends on maintaining peak performance and adaptability, smoking may be more than just a health risk—it could be a career liability. As the costs of smoking continue to rise, both for health and wealth, the message is clear: quitting smoking could benefit not only your lungs but also your financial future.