I get the line of reasoning that we should encourage activity (programs to lose weight, stop smoking, etc) that imposes lower healthcare costs for society.

But one thing I don’t get is whether or not smokers & fat-asses really do incur greater overall costs? Sure, they die sooner and after prolonged medical treatment. But everyone dies of something sooner or later. I honestly wonder if the total healthcare tally for these people really is greater than someone who doesn’t smoke/obese and lives much longer and dies of something else, which may also include protracted healthcare costs. Additionally, if they die young, then we as a society don’t carry their retirement costs as long.

I don’t have an opinion on this, I’ve just never seen numbers showing one group actually is more costly than another, “tout compte fait”. Does anyone know?