Smoking tobacco is one of the most significant health risk factors, and its consequences have a direct impact on life and critical illness insurance. Insurers consider the health habits of their clients, which is why smokers usually face higher premiums.

Why do insurance companies care whether you smoke?

When applying for life or critical illness insurance, insurers will ask questions about your lifestyle, including whether you smoke. The reason is simple: smoking is linked to a higher risk of chronic illnesses and a shorter life expectancy. As a result, insurance companies must calculate the increased risk of an earlier payout.

Smoking has a major impact on life expectancy — it is one of the greatest preventable health risks.

How does smoking affect life expectancy?

• On average, smoking can reduce life expectancy by up to 10 years compared to non-smokers.
• The risk of premature death (e.g., from cancer, heart attack, or stroke) is 2–3 times higher in smokers.
• However, quitting before age 40 can recover much of that lost life expectancy.

A Few facts:

• 1 in 2 smokers will die from a smoking-related illness.
• Smoking causes over 20 types of cancer, including lung, larynx, esophagus, and pancreas.
• It harms the heart, lungs, brain, and blood vessels.
• Even smoking just 1 cigarette a day increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Second-hand smoke is particularly harmful to children but also affects adults, increasing the risk of:

• Asthma
• Respiratory infections
• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
• Learning difficulties

How does smoking affect insurance premiums?

Smokers typically pay 50% to 100% more for life insurance than non-smokers. The exact premium depends on several factors:

• Medical test results – some insurers may require tests, such as measuring carbon monoxide levels in the blood.
• Current health status – BMI and other conditions like lung disease, heart issues, or high blood pressure can further increase premiums or lead to policy denial. More about how BMI affects the availability of insurance https://www.ubezpieczenianazycie.ie/english/bmi-co-to-jest-i-czy-wplywa-na-dostepnosc-ubezpieczenia/

What about vaping vs traditional smoking. Do insurers treat them differently?

Most insurers classify e-cigarette users as smokers meaning they are rated the same as traditional tobacco smokers when calculating life or critical illness insurance premiums.

This is because the long-term health effects of vaping are still not fully understood, so insurers prefer to be cautious. Even e-cigarettes with nicotine-free liquids may still lead insurers to classify a person as a smoker.

What if I quit smoking. Will my premium go down?

Yes. If you stop smoking, you may qualify for better insurance terms over time. Most insurers will consider you a non-smoker after 12 to 24 months of total abstinence, which can significantly reduce your premiums.

Can the insurer check if you smoke?

Yes. Insurance companies may conduct tests for the presence of nicotine in the blood, urine, or less commonly, in hair samples.
The cotinine test is a common lab test used to detect cotinine, a by-product of nicotine metabolism. This confirms exposure to nicotine — whether from cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or second-hand smoke.

If you falsely declare on a health questionnaire that you do not smoke, when in fact you do (whether cigarettes or e-cigarettes), this can have serious consequences in the event of a claim — especially one related to illness or death.

Insurers will verify your application details against medical records, nicotine test results, doctors’ reports, and death certificates if necessary.

Even in seemingly “minor” cases, insurers may:

• Deny your claim entirely
• Reduce the payout (by the difference in premiums between smokers and non-smokers)
• Void the policy, stating that it was issued based on false or misleading information — a situation known as material misrepresentation.

In summary smoking significantly impacts both the cost and availability of life and critical illness insurance. Higher premiums and potential limitations in coverage make quitting smoking not only a health-conscious decision but also a financially smart one.

If you’re considering purchasing insurance, it’s worth rethinking your habits and taking advantage of better offers available to non-smokers.

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