How much does smoking cost in Illinois? (2026)
$12.37
average pack in Illinois (Jan 2026), #11 most expensive of 51. State excise $2.98 + federal $1.01.
$4,515a year for a pack a day
5.1%average yearly price rise, 2016–2026
$58,032roughly, the next 10 years at that pace
A pack a day since…
| Started | Spent (real Illinois prices) | Same money in the S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | $34,326 | $71,956 |
| 2006 | $56,475 | $214,018 |
| 1996 | $68,640 | $333,282 |
Monthly, through December 2025. S&P 500 total returns with dividends (A. Damodaran, NYU Stern). Historical illustration, not a prediction.
50+ years of pack prices in Illinois
| 1970 | $0.41 |
| 1980 | $0.63 |
| 1990 | $1.54 |
| 2000 | $3.24 |
| 2010 | $5.88 |
| 2020 | $8.79 |
| 2026 | $12.37 |
Sources: CDC, The Tax Burden on Tobacco (1970–2019); Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (2020–2026).
Join the trend
In Illinois, 9.7% of adults smoke, down from 20.9% in 2011. 24.1% are former smokers: more people in Illinois have quit than still smoke.
CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), 2011–2025.
All 50 states and DC · Made by a smoker, for smokers.