Isaranuwatchai W, et al. - Through a population-based cohort study of 3,606 smokers and 14,911 non-smokers with cancer, researchers investigated the influence of smoking on health system costs in newly diagnosed adult patients with cancer, especially of patients with cancer who were current smokers vs those who were non- smokers. Compared to non-smokers, smokers were significantly younger, more likely male, living in poorer neighborhoods, with a more advanced stage of cancer stage, and were more likely to die within 1 year of diagnosis. Also, smokers had significantly higher average monthly healthcare costs of $5,091 vs non-smokers with $4,847 in costs. Among patients with cancer, smoking status significantly affected healthcare costs, with smokers having higher healthcare costs vs non-smokers, on average. Introduction of evidence-based smoking cessation programs as a standard of care for patients with cancer is needed since it can enhance patients’ outcomes and lower the economic load of smoking on the healthcare system.