Quit Smoking, Save a Grand?

"It places a convenience cost," says Pechacek. "When you have changes in social norms, and then a price increase that you notice each time you buy a pack of cigarettes, it's a very persistent and inescapable cost that's been building on other factors. It's kind of that tipping point that brings all those other behavioral costs together."

What's more, there's a good chance smokers may be spending more on their habits.

"States pass their cigarette tax increases during budgetary crises because they need money and it's a good way to get it," says Lindbloom. "The wonderful advantage is not only do they get money, but they lower state costs and reduce smoking. It's also very popular, unlike other tax increases that make people scream."

But the CDC's Pechacek warns that while taxing smokers is effective for governments and cuts smoking rates, states must go further than taxation.

"Taxes have gone up dramatically over the last four to five years, but the level of service funding for tobacco control programs, quit lines and coverage for medication have gone up very little or not at all," he says.

He adds that, ironically, downturns are among the hardest times for many to quit.

"Smoking is one of the stress-reducing crutches," he says. "During these economic times of stress, we need to help lower-income smokers quit because they may smoke as much or more."