How much does smoking cost in Virginia? (2026)
$9.63
average pack in Virginia (Jan 2026), #34 most expensive of 51. State excise $0.60 + federal $1.01.
$3,515a year for a pack a day
6.6%average yearly price rise, 2016–2026
$48,291roughly, the next 10 years at that pace
A pack a day since…
| Started | Spent (real Virginia prices) | Same money in the S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | $24,091 | $49,860 |
| 2006 | $40,192 | $154,482 |
| 1996 | $49,823 | $248,843 |
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 Virginia
| 1970 | $0.30 |
| 1980 | $0.52 |
| 1990 | $1.36 |
| 2000 | $2.75 |
| 2010 | $4.62 |
| 2020 | $5.54 |
| 2026 | $9.63 |
Sources: CDC, The Tax Burden on Tobacco (1970–2019); Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (2020–2026).
Join the trend
In Virginia, 10.1% of adults smoke, down from 20.9% in 2011. 23.4% are former smokers: more people in Virginia 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.