One of the primary reasons people consider quitting cigarettes is to protect their health and be there for their families to help protect them. That is also why people get life insurance.
However, those classified as smokers often have to pay higher premiums for life insurance products than non-smokers.
This is because compared to lifelong non-smokers, the mortality rate of people who smoke is two to three times higher. Therefore, it is not surprising that term life insurance policies charge those who smoke higher premiums.
Change to non-smoker tariff after one year
Despite the high additional costs, people who smoke should not lie when taking out term life insurance. The insurance company can refuse the agreed death benefit if, for example, a doctor determines that the patient died due to their tobacco consumption in the case of lung cancer. In this case, the persons protected by the term life insurance would go away empty-handed.
However, some insurance companies leave a "loophole" open for long-time smokers that allow them to switch to a cheaper non-smoker tariff. Some tariffs make it possible to be classified as a non-smoker after only one year without a cigarette. However, this usually requires a new health check to confirm abstinence.
Is vaping considered smoking for insurance purposes?
The severe health risks of conventional cigarettes and alternative forms of consumption such as water pipes (shishas) and the high costs have led more and more smokers to switch to electronic vaporisation devices (e-cigarettes) in recent years. So if you are wondering if vaping is the same as smoking for life insurance purposes, the answer is yes and no.
E-cigarettes vaporise special liquids, which usually contain flavourings and nicotine without a combustion process. Some vapes are even nicotine-free for those who want to quit smoking all nicotine products altogether. In any case, vaping is cheaper than conventional tobacco cigarettes, but many users also consider it a "healthy alternative" to cigarettes because of the different way it works.
If you want to get a life insurance cover, you should know that most policies treat conventional cigarettes and e-cigarettes identically despite the significant differences. Those who vape still often have to present themselves as smokers and pay significantly higher premiums on their life insurance.
Some life insurance providers who offer critical illness cover policies often oblige people who use smoking cessation products such as nicotine patches, sprays and chewing gum to insure themselves in a smokers' tariff because the nicotine continues to be supplied to the body. Here, too, consumers should not lie under any circumstances because the nicotine breakdown product cotinine can be easily detected in an autopsy due to its long half-life.
Health risk of vaping in science
In the meantime, science has also dealt with the health risks of e-cigarettes in numerous studies. Some of the most recent ones may change life insurance companies' attitudes towards smoking and vaping.
Lower risk according to a study by Public Health England
Public Health England (PHE), which is part of the British National Health Service (NHS),
published a comprehensive study
on the heart attack risks of tobacco vaporisers back in 2018. Unlike previous studies, of e-cigarettes which are often funded and can lead to bias, PHE's analysis was not paid for through third-party funding that could influence independence.
According to the study results, the PHE concludes that e-cigarettes can be classified as significantly less harmful than conventional cigarettes even without the existence of a long-term study. The scientists, therefore, state that e-cigarettes are an excellent alternative to conventional cigarettes for all people who vape.
Smoking cessation thanks to e-cigarettes
Another benefit of switching to vaping is the possibility of quitting smoking cigarettes. Scientists at the
Queen Mary University of London studied 886 people
to determine whether e-cigarettes can help them quit smoking. For this purpose, the test persons were divided into two groups, either receiving a vaporiser with a liquid containing nicotine or a combination of patches, sprays and chewing gum. In addition, the study participants would receive intensive therapeutic support during smoking cessation.
Vaping as a "healthy alternative"?
According to study leader Peter Hajek, "E-cigarettes were twice as effective as the previous gold standard, the combination of nicotine replacement products." While the conventional nicotine replacement products helped 9.9 per cent of the subjects in the control group to become non-smokers, 19 per cent of the e-cigarette group managed to remain non-smokers after one year.
The authors of the study state that e-cigarettes are particularly useful in smoking cessation, and since they are not harmful to health, they are an excellent alternative.
Results from other studies show that electronic cigarettes can very likely enable many smokers to switch to a less harmful alternative.
Life insurance premiums depend on what you inhale
Nicotine
At first glance, e-cigarettes containing nicotine may seem safer than regular cigarettes. That's because tobacco isn't burning, so a lot less harmful chemicals are released, and you are not exposed to the same risk.
However, vaping is still relatively new, and only one
long-term study
has examined the effects of vaping compared to smoking.
The study concluded that using e-cigarettes alone is safer than smoking conventional cigarettes. A few months ago, for example, life insurance company Prudential Financial, Inc. treated e-cigarette use as non-tobacco.
Marijuana
Life insurance matters are a little different when it comes to marijuana use. Many insurance companies consider marijuana a separate category without regard to the delivery system. This means you may be able to smoke, vaporise or consume edibles, and the same rules apply to marijuana.
Some insurance companies treat marijuana like tobacco and charge you a higher tobacco rate. Other providers deny you completely for marijuana use. Still, others offer infrequent marijuana users the highest ratings (i.e. the best rates).
It depends on how much you use vaping products
So, it all depends on how much you vape and which insurance company you use.
Every company comes with its own rules. Although vaping is proved to be significantly less harmful, it is vital to consult the insurance representative to know what you are paying for.
Some insurance companies will still treat you as a smoker if you have regularly vaped nicotine within the last year, even if you have recently quit.
For others, this can extend even further, meaning that you are not eligible for a non-smoking insurance plan until you have been entirely smoke-free for three, four or even five years.
Conclusion and final remarks
According to the current state of research, e-cigarettes have significantly lower health risks than the conventional tobacco alternative. This is why some insurance experts predict special rates for life insurance in the coming years, which will fall between regular smokers and non-smokers if the demand for related products continues to rise due to the increasing number of people who vape.
