Should Smokers Pay More For Health Insurance?

While some companies already charge smokers more for health insurance, a new Rasmussen Reports national survey finds that most Americans think that’s a good idea.

Rasmussen’s telephone survey finds that 54% of adults think people who smoke should pay higher health insurance rates than non-smokers. Thirty-eight percent disagree and do not think smokers should be charged more.

Not surprisingly, just 12% of current smokers like the idea of higher health insurance rates. Seventy percent of non-smokers and a plurality 49% of former smokers, however, think smokers should pay more.

In an effort to reduce the number of smokers in the U.S., starting in 2011 all health insurance companies will provide coverage for smoking-cessation programs under the new health care law.

As part of the same effort, the federal Food and Drug Administration is introducing new cigarette warning labels with graphic images depicting the health risks of smoking. Most Americans don’t think the new warning labels will decrease the number of smokers in the U.S., but they think raising the price of cigarettes will have an impact. ◆