Do you smoke? Y/N

[Sun Vaporer]

What about for health/life insurance? They would test for nicotine. Would they just put you down as a smoker? I have wondered this and even asked here once, I think.

Queen ---Some insurance companies do test for nicotine (cotinine actually, the breakdown product of nicotine).

If you have not used any in 10 days, your level should be low. But if the company thinks anyone are pulling one over they could deny the policy or look more closely. Or, if you were to die or have a of a smoking related illness within 2-3 years, they could deny benefits..

-------Sun

[DaMulta]

I would say no, and then in HR show them your E-Cig.

[Busaholic]

Only after sex =D. Nothing you use fire to "smoke". Sorry, bad joke haha.

[Mary Kay]

I told my Dr. I quit smoking and she just tapped my blood results and never even looked up. I told her I was using an Electronic Cigarette and that there was no tobacco involved, just a small amount of nicotine. She continued to tap the report and to lecture me about how smoking was keeping my blood pressure up..It's Down! I gave up and told her she doesn't listen very well. No reply.

[QueenInNC]

Queen ---Some insurance companies do test for nicotine (cotinine actually, the breakdown product of nicotine).

If you have not used any in 10 days, your level should be low. But if the company thinks anyone are pulling one over they could deny the policy or look more closely. Or, if you were to die or have a of a smoking related illness within 2-3 years, they could deny benefits..

-------Sun

Right. That is what I am afraid of. I do not smoke, but there is nicotine in my system. There should be an exception for people using NRT. I wonder what the case would be if you told them you were using the patch or lozengens. With lozenges, the nicotine would be in your mouth so if they swabbed your cheek you could have it there without smoking or vaping. I am sure it is never gonna be looked at that way...would be nice though!

[Sun Vaporer]

Right. That is what I am afraid of. I do not smoke, but there is nicotine in my system. There should be an exception for people using NRT. I wonder what the case would be if you told them you were using the patch or lozengens. With lozenges, the nicotine would be in your mouth so if they swabbed your cheek you could have it there without smoking or vaping. I am sure it is never gonna be looked at that way...would be nice though!

Queen--you have to tell them that you quit and usually there is a one or two year waiting period on death due to cigarette related use for life insurance and a higher premium for health insurance for a year----Sun

[QueenInNC]

Queen--you have to tell them that you quit and usually there is a one or two year waiting period on death due to cigarette related use for life insurance and a higher premium for health insurance for a year----Sun

Thanks, Sun.

[gashin]

I stopped smoking about a month ago.... took me a LONG time even with vaping since September.

[bevis]

I don't smoke after I used e cig .

[TropicalBob]

But Sun's point is correct and those using e-cigs should note it well. You are NOT a non-smoker until your system is free of nicotine FOR ONE YEAR. You will pay more in insurance until that cotinine-free state shows up on tests.

And since it's not "smoking" being tested, you remain a "smoker" as long as you put nicotine into your body on a regular basis. Makes no difference if it's from vapor, snus, nasal snuff or Big Pharma's gum.

What is really being required today is "nicotine-free" employees. That's the new reality.