Should smokers pay more for health insurance?

Question

This is the article where I read it from.
http://www.medsocial.com/blog.aspx?blogaction=viewmyblog&show=267

Answer 1

Yes, I believe they should. Many conditions that lead to increased medical expenses are preventable, and even self-induced. Smoking causes many more health conditions than anything that we do to our bodies.

Why should people who live a clean life pay for the decisions of those of us who don't? It's only fair.

Answer 2

I'm reading some good, but unfortunately impractical responses here.

Insurance underwriting is based on the ultimate in fairness; actuary. Premiums for coverage are based entirely upon the quantified risk, that is the expected per capita cost of treatment within a specific class.

Unfortunately for smokers, or any other group easily differentiated as a higher risk, that means higher premiums. Many other activities are not as easily identifiable as to cost risk, but generally, everyone receives a pretty fair underwriting assessment.

Answer 3

My employer charges people who smoke, a higher premium than people who don't smoke. I smoke. All in all, I was pretty ok with that. UNTIL, I noticed the amount of obese people in my company.
I eat really well. I'm not overweight. I exercise. I pay more because I smoke. Ok. Fine. The overweight lady who sits next to me has asthma, depression, diabetes, high blood pressure & cholesterol, heart disease, and some weird skin problem... She's constantly in the doctor's office. She eats whatever she wants, whenever she wants... If she wants pie, no big deal, she just uses more insulin. It ridiculous....
I don't mind paying more for my bad habit; but at some point, the criteria shouldn't just apply to smokers.

Answer 4

It depends how you look at it. Here is the other side

First, how do you determine who is a smoker? How would the insurance company know and contiune to monitor.

Second, smokers die sooner, so they wont be as much of a long term expense.

Answer 5

Well, yes, and so should fat people, technically.

The REAL question is, will you let the insurance companies and the free market make the decision?

Sorry, I don't read blogs - but here's your answer.

Answer 6

without a doubt.they r a bigger liability to the insurer so of course.Millions of people die as a result of smoking every year.

Answer 7

Yes....As long as they put the same rate on people who eat at McDonalds, Drive fast, Have Genetics prone to disease, Don't exercise...Get the picture.....

Answer 8

Yes. The higher the risk one is the more they should pay.

Answer 9

its 5 dollars more a pay period for my smoking, attached to my premium

Answer 10

smokers should get free insurance!