Vaping Vs Smoking: Life Insurance Considerations For Vapers

Vaping is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to smoking, with many former smokers turning to e-cigarettes as a more socially acceptable way to consume nicotine. However, when it comes to life insurance, vapers may find themselves facing similar challenges to smokers. Most insurance providers consider vaping to be equivalent to smoking, which can result in higher insurance rates and a classification as a smoker. This is because nicotine is nicotine, regardless of its source, and vaping is still associated with an increased risk of long-term health issues such as cancer and heart disease. While there are a small number of insurance companies that offer non-smoker rates for vapers, the majority will require vapers to pay smoker rates, which can be up to four times higher than non-smoker rates.

Vaping and smoking: what's the difference for insurers?

Vaping and smoking are treated differently by insurers when it comes to life insurance policies and premiums. While smoking is a clear indicator of tobacco use, vaping is a more discrete way of consuming nicotine. However, both have health implications that insurers consider when assessing the risk of insuring an individual.

Smoking and Insurance

Insurance providers view smokers as high-risk individuals. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death, contributing to a significant number of deaths each year. As a result, smokers are considered more likely to suffer from ill health or die at a younger age, increasing the likelihood of insurance providers having to pay out on a claim. This is reflected in the higher premiums charged to smokers, which can be up to double the cost of non-smokers' premiums.

Insurers classify individuals as smokers based on their use of tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, and chewing tobacco. Even occasional smoking or the use of nicotine replacement products can result in an individual being classed as a smoker. Cannabis usage may also be considered, depending on the frequency and method of consumption.

Vaping and Insurance

Vaping, or the use of e-cigarettes, is also generally considered a form of smoking by insurance providers. This is because vaping still involves inhaling nicotine, which carries health risks. Additionally, vaping has been linked to serious lung diseases and other long-term health issues. As a result, vapers are often placed in the same risk category as smokers, leading to higher insurance premiums.

However, there is some variation among insurance providers in how they classify vaping. Some providers may offer non-smoker rates to individuals who vape infrequently (less than 24 times a year) or use vape liquids that do not contain nicotine. The lack of long-term studies on the health effects of vaping also plays a role in insurers' assessments, as the full impact of vaping on health may not yet be fully understood.

Key Differences for Insurers

The main difference between vaping and smoking, from an insurer's perspective, lies in the perception of risk associated with each activity. Smoking is a well-established risk factor, while vaping is a relatively newer phenomenon with less comprehensive data on its long-term health consequences. As a result, insurers may exhibit more leniency towards vapers, depending on the frequency of their vaping and the presence of nicotine in the vape liquid.

In summary, while both vaping and smoking are considered risk factors by insurance providers, the lack of extensive research on the health effects of vaping may lead to some variation in how insurers treat vapers compared to smokers. However, the consensus among insurers is that vaping and smoking are similar in terms of their impact on insurance premiums and policy options.

How does vaping affect life insurance premiums?

Insurance providers view smokers as high-risk clients. This is because smokers are more likely to develop health issues and pass away at a younger age. Therefore, insurance companies determine that by insuring a smoker or someone with a smoking-related illness, they will likely have to pay out a death benefit to the beneficiary sooner than they would for a non-smoker. Consequently, smokers are charged higher premiums.

Vaping is generally considered a more socially acceptable form of nicotine delivery than cigarette smoking. However, most insurance providers class vaping the same as smoking. This means that, like smokers, vapers will likely have to pay higher premiums for their life insurance.

There are a few reasons for this. Firstly, vaping is still not considered safe. While it is healthier than smoking, vapers are still inhaling nicotine and other contaminants. In addition, many serious lung diseases have been connected to vaping. Secondly, there are no long-term studies on the health effects of vaping, and there are no uniform regulations over how vape devices are manufactured. This means that the long-term health effects of vaping are still unknown.

However, not all insurance providers take a negative view of vaping. A vape liquid that contains no nicotine may be treated differently by insurance providers, for example. In addition, there are a handful of insurance carriers that will consider vaping and e-cigarette use at non-smoker rates. Therefore, it is important to check the terms of each individual quote carefully.

For most life insurance providers to consider you a true 'non-smoker', you need to be nicotine-free for at least 12 months. This is because nicotine can remain in your body for a long time after you have quit smoking or vaping. If you have quit vaping and remained nicotine-free for at least 12 months, you can apply to have your status changed to non-smoker, which will reduce your premiums.

What are the health implications of vaping?

Vaping is a relatively new phenomenon, and as such, there are no long-term studies on its health effects. However, it is known to be harmful and is associated with an increased risk of long-term health issues.

The Impact on the Heart and Lungs

Vaping is less harmful than smoking cigarettes, but it is still not safe. E-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is highly addictive and toxic. It increases blood pressure and adrenaline, which in turn increases the heart rate and the likelihood of a heart attack. Nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms make it difficult to quit.

The vapor from e-cigarettes contains thousands of chemical ingredients, most of which are unidentified. Some of the chemicals that have been identified include caffeine, pesticides, and flavourings, which are linked to toxic effects and respiratory irritation. The vapor also contains harmful ultrafine particles, volatile organic compounds, cancer-causing chemicals, and heavy metals such as nickel, tin, and lead.

The inhalation of these harmful chemicals can cause irreversible lung damage and lung disease. There have been cases of severe lung problems, including deaths, linked to vaping. This condition is called e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 2,800 e-cigarette users required hospital admission due to EVALI through February 2020, and 68 of these people died.

Other Health Risks

Vaping is also associated with an increased risk of cancer, asthma, and chronic lung disease. It can also cause acute lung injury, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and may trigger asthma. Additionally, explosions and burns have been reported with e-cigarettes while recharging the devices due to defective batteries.

Impact on Youth

Vaping is especially popular among youth, with more than 2 million US middle and high school students reporting e-cigarette use in 2021. This is concerning because nicotine addiction can lead to the use of traditional tobacco products later on. Vaping is also a gateway to smoking cigarettes, with teens who vape being more likely to start smoking.

Lack of Regulation

There are no uniform regulations for the manufacturing of e-cigarettes, and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved vaping as a method of smoking cessation. The lack of regulation and understanding of the long-term health effects of vaping means that it is difficult to assess the true balance between the benefits and risks of vaping.

Life Insurance Implications

Due to the health risks associated with vaping, insurance providers view vapers as high-risk. Most insurance providers class vaping as equivalent to smoking, and vapers may be subject to higher premiums and classified as smokers even if they only vape occasionally. However, there are a few insurance providers that offer "Non-Smoker" rates for vaping, as long as no cigarettes have been smoked in the last 12 months.

How do insurers test for vaping?

Vaping is generally considered to be a form of smoking by insurance companies. This is because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) categorised e-cigarettes as "tobacco products" in 2016. As a result, insurance companies treat vapers the same as traditional smokers, which means higher insurance rates for health and life insurance policies.

When applying for insurance, individuals are typically required by law to disclose their smoking habits, including vaping. While it is uncommon for insurers to actively investigate an applicant's smoking habits, they may request a medical exam that includes a nicotine test to confirm tobacco usage details. This could involve testing blood and urine samples for signs of nicotine use.

Additionally, an individual's medical records may provide information about their smoking or vaping habits. Routine blood and urine analysis performed by healthcare providers can detect nicotine or other tobacco-related substances in the body. These records could be accessed by insurers with the individual's consent or during the claims process.

It is important to note that failing to disclose vaping or smoking habits on an insurance application is considered insurance fraud. If an insurer discovers that an individual has misrepresented their tobacco use, there may be serious consequences, including policy cancellation, denial of claims, or legal penalties.

To summarise, insurers test for vaping through nicotine tests, analysis of blood and urine samples, and by reviewing medical records. Nondisclosure or misrepresentation of vaping habits can result in significant repercussions.

What happens if you lie about vaping?

Vaping is generally considered to be the same as smoking for insurance purposes. While the long-term health effects of vaping are still unknown, insurance companies view it as a health risk. Therefore, if you are a vaper, you will likely be placed in the same category as a smoker, which will result in higher insurance premiums.

If you lie about vaping on your life insurance application, this is considered insurance fraud, and there can be serious consequences. Lying on your application can result in your application being denied, your policy being cancelled, or your beneficiaries receiving a reduced payout or no payout at all.

Insurance companies have various ways to verify the information you provide on your application. They can access your medical records, including your prescription drug history, and they can also request a medical exam, blood sample, urine sample, and other lab work. They can also access your motor vehicle records and personal information, such as social media.

Additionally, there is a contestability period, typically the first two years of the policy, during which insurance companies can investigate any claims or discrepancies in your application. If they uncover any inconsistencies or false information, they may deny or reduce the death benefit or cancel your policy altogether.

Consequences of lying on your life insurance application can vary depending on the severity of the lie and when it is discovered. While minor oversights or honest mistakes may not result in significant consequences, intentional fraud can lead to legal repercussions, including fines or even jail time.

Therefore, it is essential to be honest and transparent when applying for life insurance. While it may be tempting to lie about vaping to secure a lower premium, the risks of doing so are high and can ultimately affect your loved ones' ability to receive the financial support they need.

Frequently asked questions