Vaping won't help you escape the 'smoker' tag on insurance. Here's why
June 09, 2026 by moneycontrol.com
Vaping won't help you escape the 'smoker' tag on insurance. Here's why
Insurance rules often treat vaping the same as smoking, even when the health risks are not equivalent. In India, insurers may classify anyone using nicotine, including e-cigarettes or e-hookah, as a smoker when assessing health or life cover. This approach raises important questions about whether financial systems are recognising relative risk — or simply grouping all nicotine use into one high-risk category. More accurate risk assessment should reflect the difference between combustible tobacco and lower-risk nicotine alternatives.
9.30% of the adult population are current smokers. There are approximately 100.2 million current smokers in India 16.70% of men are current smokers but only 1.40% of women.
SOURCE: GSTHR
