NATION : Smoking Costs U.S. Taxpayers $52 Billion a Year in Health Care

WASHINGTON — A new government report today estimated that smoking costs the nation more than $52 billion a year, largely for health care expenses.

The report, by the Department of Health and Human Services, estimated that the cost of smoking-related disease averages $1 billion per state but said some states pay a much higher price than others.

California, the most populous state, has the highest costs, $5.8 billion. The economic cost is lowest in Alaska, where it is $82 million per year.

Presenting the report at a hearing by the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee, Health and Human Services Secretary Louis W. Sullivan called on tobacco companies to stop targeting women, minorities and young people.

Sullivan said that while Americans have a personal responsibility to protect their health, tobacco companies and advertisers also must be responsible.