Americans who quit smoking save a bundle

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Nine percent of U.S. adults want to quit smoking, the Poughkeepsie, N.Y.-based Marist Institute said -- and if they do, they'll save a bundle.

For those who put "quit smoking" at the top of their New Year's resolutions, they can save tens of thousands of dollars over a lifetime, to say nothing of improving health and feeling -- and smelling -- better, CNN/Money reported.

For example, a 40-year-old woman who normally smokes a pack of cigarettes a day can save nearly $1,300 in her first smoke-free year, according to Quitnet.com, an online support group that helps people stop smoking. The group estimates it has helped 26,839 people quit the smoking habit and saved them $354,595,252.

Life insurance costs less as well. A 30-year-old man who takes out a $250,000, 20-year term life-insurance policy issued by ING would pay $988 a year if a smoker, but only $317 a year if a nonsmoker.