Maine’s smokers are naturally upset that the state has decided to balance its budget on their backs. But, smokers should also be reminded that the rest of society ends up spending considerably more on their habit.

Early last month, the state passed an increase in its cigarette tax, from $1 to $2 per pack, to help offset a massive budget deficit. The cost of providing health care is one of the reasons the state faced that deficit in the first place.

The Centers for Disease Control last week estimated that early deaths caused by smoking cost the nation about $92 billion a year in lost productivity between 1997 and 2001.

Smoking reduces life expectancy as a result of cancer, heart disease and other illnesses. The CDC estimates that treating smoking-related illnesses cost the U.S. about $75.5 billion in 1998 alone.

Clearly, it’s hard to fathom such numbers. Some of that expense is paid by smokers themselves and some by employers. But, to a large extent, federal and state governments end up picking up the tab for smoking in the form of growing Medicare and Medicaid budgets.

Science increasingly shows that we are in charge of our own health. Sure, some things are beyond our control, but many others are not.

Should drinkers pay more to offset the societal cost of treating alcoholics? Should there be a heavier tax on high-calorie fast foods that contribute to obesity?

In a word, yes. As healthcare costs spiral out of control, and as some Americans refuse to take commonsense steps to reduce those costs, we will be forced to find innovative ways to care for the maladies that result from our poor health habits.

To the extent that health-care costs can be attributed to certain habits and products, the costs should be as well.