A central claim of those eager for restrictions on tobacco use is that smokers cost society more.

A new study from the Netherlands may help lay that oft heard chestnut to rest. The study shows that there would be no cost savings for governments and taxpayers from preventing obesity or reducing illnesses caused by smoking.

The study found, quite to the contrary, that healthy people cost more.

The study, undertaken by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment in Holland, found that ultimately healthy people, who live on average four years longer than obese people and seven years longer than smokers, cost the health system about $417,000 from the age of 20 compared to $371,000 for obese people and $326,000 for smokers.

One of the economists working on the study commented: “if you live longer, then you cost the health system more.”