Table 1

Cost per life-year saved (LYS), smoking cessation and other healthcare interventions (in 1993 US$)

InterventionCost per LYS ($)
Smoking cessation
 Low intensity1-150 100–500
 Brief advice from MD1000–3000
 High intensity1-151 6000–15 000
Common disease prevention1500–15 000
Secondary and tertiary care20 000–100 000+

  • ↵1-150 For example, self-help cessation guides; brief advice, non-MD; broadcast media campaigns.

  • ↵1-151 Nicotine gum as adjunct to practice-based MD counselling.

  • Source: Warner KE. Cost-effectiveness of nicotine replacement therapy. In Future directions in nicotine replacement therapy. Chester, UK: Adis International, 1993, table 1, page 37.