E-cigarette and medical insurance policy

[papillon822]

When I filled my out of country medical insurance application, they ask if I smoked a cigarette in the past year. If cigarettes were smoked, there is a 10% surcharge. Is vaping an e-cig considered smoking for insurance purposes?

 

[retired1]

Personally, I would say no. However, Health Canada may not see it that way.

I'd say "No", and if it ever comes to light later on down the road, you can state that you answered truthfully in that you had not smoked a cigarette in over a year.

 

[papillon822]

Net net, is vaping an e-cig considered smoking????

 

[ForeverTwoWheels]

That's a hard one. I had a discussion about this with an insurance broker at a trade show a couple of months ago. The subject was more about the occasional Cigar or Hookah session. His conclusion was that if they tested for nicotine and it was in the blood stream that they could deny you for lying on your application or worse case scenario charge you with insurance fraud if you come down with a tobacco related disease. He is an occasional cigar smoker and claims he is a non tobacco user.

 

[retired1]

Net net, is vaping an e-cig considered smoking????

In the strict sense? No, it isn't. You aren't burning anything when you vape. As much as the anti-tobacco crowd would like everyone to believe, it is not smoking.

That's a hard one. I had a discussion about this with an insurance broker at a trade show a couple of months ago. The subject was more about the occasional Cigar or Hookah session. His conclusion was that if they tested for nicotine and it was in the blood stream that they could deny you for lying on your application or worse case scenario charge you with insurance fraud if you come down with a tobacco related disease. He is an occasional cigar smoker and claims he is a non tobacco user.

Different rules in Canada.

 

[the_vape_nerd]

A lot of life insurance companies, at least in the U.S., do oral testing for nicotine use. If they find it, then they charge you a higher premium for it.

However, this is a written question and if the word "cigarette" and "smoking" are used then no you've not smoked a cigarette, it's a simple as that. How could you have smoked one when you haven't inhaled any smoke? Words mean things and you cannot have smoke without first having fire.

 

[retired1]

Remember, in Canada, health insurance is government run (otherwise known as socialized healthcare).

 

[Zurd]

Vaping is not smoking, however you should still tell them that you're vaping, make sure there's no ambiguity down the road.

There was one company last year which made the news saying that they will not charge a fee for vapers as they don't consider it smoking, I was quite please, however I can't find the link and I think they're still the only one doing that. I can't even remember if it was a US or Canada company.

 

[Heavyrocker]

They should lower your premiums if you vape instead of smoking.

 

[fourtytwo]

Vaping is not smoking, however you should still tell them that you're vaping, make sure there's no ambiguity down the road.

There was one company last year which made the news saying that they will not charge a fee for vapers as they don't consider it smoking, I was quite please, however I can't find the link and I think they're still the only one doing that. I can't even remember if it was a US or Canada company.

I believe this is the insurance company.
How Life Insurance Companies View Electronic Cigarettes

 

[Juan H.]

I wonder if I were on the nicotine patch or gum would they consider me a smoker? I answered not a smoker on my insurance becuase I don't see vaping in any way shape or form smoking. Recently I have been on a journey to lose weight and get back in shape I have been seeing a doctor which prescribes me an appetite suppressor and he evaluates me monthly to help me lose the weight. I undergo many test to monitor my health 2 months ago I had high cholesterol which I beat without drugs. My doctor says I'm super healthy and doing great I exercise regularly and I watch everything I eat, I use an app called lose it to count calories. When I smoked I tried working out and could not last more than 15 min on a treadmill without feeling it in my chest. Now I run an easy 30 min on treadmill or elliptical without any problem so I know vaping has changed my life for the better. by the way I have lost 45 lbs so far and have gone from 230 lbs to 185 lbs thats high school skinny. Still on my quest to lose and build my strength and muscle tone. Couldn't have done it if I were a smoker. And I was a 2 pack a dayer and now I vape everyday for the last 4 years.

 

[Talyon]

Vapeing is not smoking, but an alternative. Each insurance company well decide for themselves.

Like any contract OP read it carefully, answer honestly.

 

[struckus]

yeah one of my insurance forms stated non-smoker was someone who has not used a tobacco product in 6 months..and I haven't..so I am a non-smoker to them..