How Snus, Vaping or Even One Cigarette Could Affect Your Insurance Cover

When it comes to smoking and vaping life insurance in Ireland, most people think it’s all about cigarettes. But insurers take a much stricter view.

If you’ve used any nicotine in the last 12 months – whether from vaping, snus, nicotine pouches, or even gum – you’re classed as a smoker. And yes, that smoker status can increase your life insurance, mortgage protection, or income protection premiums.

We asked Sharon Doyle, Director of Operations at Beat The Bank, to explain:
🔹What insurers in Ireland count as smoking
🔹 Why honesty matters when applying for cover
🔹How it could impact your premium – and a claim down the line

Sharon Explains in 60 Seconds:

What Counts as a Smoker for Life Insurance in Ireland?

In Ireland, life insurance providers apply a strict definition:

Any nicotine use in the last 12 months = smoker status.

That includes:

🔹Tobacco products — cigarettes, rollies, cigars, snus

🔹Vapes and e-cigarettes

🔹Nicotine pouches

🔹Nicotine patches, sprays, or gum (nicotine replacement therapy)

It doesn’t matter if you vape socially, tried snus on a trip abroad, or had a single cigarette at a wedding. Even one-off nicotine use puts you into the smoker category for insurance purposes.

Why You Shouldn’t Tick ‘Non-Smoker’ if You Are One

It’s never worth claiming to be a non-smoker if you’ve used nicotine in the last year. Insurers can check your history, and if nicotine use is found during a claim, it could lead to complications with your cover.

Get the Full Guide on Smoking, Vaping & Insurance

Want to see the full breakdown of what counts as smoking for life insurance in Ireland?

Click here to open the full guide on Smoking and Vaping (PDF)

🔹A clear definition of smoker status

🔹How occasional use affects your policy

🔹What to do if you’ve quit

🔹How to make sure you’re not overpaying

The Bottom Line

When it comes to smoking and vaping life insurance in Ireland, even occasional nicotine use – from cigarettes, vapes, snus, or pouches – can affect your premiums.

If you’ve been nicotine-free for a year, it’s worth checking whether you can move to non-smoker rates and save money on your cover.

📩 Contact us today at unbeaten@beatthebank.ie
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