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🚨 Critical Illness Cover for Smokers

Critical Illness Cover for Smokers, You Can Get Covered

Smokers pay 100–200% more for critical illness cover, but the right adviser can find you the most competitive rates. Smoking raises your cancer and heart attack risk significantly, making CIC arguably more important for you than anyone.

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Answer a few simple questions and compare critical illness cover quotes from every major UK insurer, even as a smoker. No pressure, no obligation.

Critical Illness Cover for Smokers: What You Need to Know

Critical illness cover (CIC) pays a tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with a specified serious illness such as cancer, heart attack, or stroke. For smokers, this type of cover is arguably more important than for anyone else, because smoking dramatically increases the risk of developing the very conditions that CIC is designed to protect against.

The good news is that every major UK insurer accepts smokers for critical illness cover. The challenge is that premiums are significantly higher, typically 100–200% more than non-smoker rates. This is a steeper increase than you would see on a standard life insurance policy (where smoker loadings are typically 50–100%), because smoking is directly linked to cancer, heart disease, and stroke, which together account for approximately 85% of all critical illness claims.

Insurers classify the following as “smokers” for critical illness cover purposes:

  • Cigarette smokers, any frequency, including occasional or social smoking
  • Vapers and e-cigarette users, most insurers treat these the same as cigarette smokers
  • Cannabis users, if smoked, you will be classified as a smoker regardless of tobacco use
  • Cigar and pipe smokers, all tobacco products are treated equally
  • Nicotine replacement users, patches, gum, lozenges, and sprays all count
Key fact: If you quit all nicotine products for at least 12 months, most insurers will reclassify you as a non-smoker. This could reduce your critical illness cover premiums by 50% or more. It is one of the most financially rewarding reasons to stop smoking.

For a comprehensive overview of how critical illness cover works, definitions, and what to look for in a policy, see our guide to critical illness cover.

Premium Comparison

Smoker vs Non-Smoker vs Ex-Smoker vs Vaper: CIC Premium Comparison

Premiums vary significantly based on your smoking status. This table shows typical monthly costs for £100,000 of critical illness cover over 25 years for a 35-year-old.

Smoking StatusTypical Monthly PremiumLoading vs Non-SmokerNotes
Non-Smoker£25–£35/moBaseline rateNever smoked or quit 12+
Ex-Smoker (12+ months)£25–£35/moNon-smoker ratesCompletely free of all
Vaper / E-Cigarette User£55–£85/mo+100–150%Most insurers classify as
Occasional Smoker£55–£90/mo+100–200%No distinction from regular
Regular Smoker (10+/day)£60–£100/mo+150–200%Highest loadings; some
Cannabis Smoker£65–£110/mo+150–200%+Classified as smoker;

Costs shown are indicative for a 35-year-old with £100,000 CIC cover over 25 years. Your quote may differ based on age, health, and insurer.

Important: Never lie about your smoking status on a critical illness cover application. Insurers can and do test for nicotine through cotinine testing. If you make a claim and they discover non-disclosure, your entire claim could be refused, leaving you with nothing when you need it most. Read more about pre-existing conditions and critical illness cover.
Your Situation

Find the Right Cover for Your Smoking Status

Different smoking habits affect your options and premiums differently. Here is how to approach critical illness cover based on your situation.

🚬

Regular Cigarette Smokers

You will pay the highest premiums, but cover is available from every insurer. The key is comparing the whole market, because smoker rates vary enormously between providers. Some insurers are far more competitive for smokers than others.

Whole-of-market comparison essential
🍸

Occasional or Social Smokers

Even if you only smoke a few cigarettes a week or at social events, most insurers will classify you as a smoker. There is generally no reduced rate for occasional use, so you should apply honestly and compare for the best deal.

Classified as smoker, compare rates
💨

Vapers and E-Cigarette Users

Most UK insurers currently treat vapers the same as cigarette smokers for CIC purposes. However, a small number of providers are beginning to differentiate, so comparing the market could uncover slightly better rates for vapers.

Treated as smoker by most insurers
✅

Recently Quit (Under 12 Months)

Well done on quitting. Unfortunately, you will still be classified as a smoker until you have been nicotine-free for at least 12 months. Consider getting cover now at smoker rates and then reapplying for a new policy at non-smoker rates once you reach the 12-month milestone.

Get covered now, reapply after 12 months
🌿

Cannabis Users

If you smoke cannabis, you will be classified as a smoker for critical illness cover regardless of whether you also use tobacco. Some insurers may apply additional loadings or exclusions depending on the frequency and method of consumption. Full disclosure is essential.

Always disclose, smoker rates apply
🩹

Using Nicotine Replacement Therapy

If you are using nicotine patches, gum, lozenges, or sprays to help you quit, you will still be classified as a smoker until you have been completely free of all nicotine products for 12 months. NRT contains nicotine, which is detectable in cotinine tests.

Still classified as smoker until fully clear

Smoker rates vary massively between insurers. Let an adviser find your best deal.

Get matched with an FCA-regulated adviser who will compare every UK insurer to find the most competitive critical illness cover for your smoking status.

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Costs Explained

How Much Does Critical Illness Cover Cost for Smokers?

Smoker CIC premiums are significantly higher than non-smoker rates because smoking directly increases the risk of the conditions CIC covers. Here is what you can typically expect to pay.

£55–£100/mo
Smoker CIC (£100k cover)
Typical cost for a 35-year-old smoker with £100,000 critical illness cover over 25 years. Rates vary significantly between insurers.
£25–£35/mo
Non-Smoker CIC (£100k cover)
The same cover for a non-smoker of the same age. Quitting for 12 months could unlock these rates and save you hundreds per year.
Worth knowing: The smoker loading on critical illness cover is higher than on life insurance because CIC pays out on diagnosis of conditions like cancer and heart attack, conditions that smoking directly causes. With life insurance, the loading is typically 50–100%; with CIC, it is 100–200%. See our full guide to critical illness cover costs.

Prices vary substantially between insurers for smokers, which is why comparing the whole market is essential. An independent adviser can identify which insurers are most competitive for your specific smoking status and health profile.

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Real Reviews

What Our Customers Say

James D.
James D.
Manchester • Critical Illness Cover
★★★★★
“Saved £40/month compared to my first quote”

As a smoker, I expected to pay through the nose for critical illness cover. My bank quoted me £95/month, but through Lifecoverfor.com my adviser found the same cover for £54/month with a different insurer. Massive difference.

Sarah P.
Sarah P.
Leeds • Critical Illness Cover
★★★★★
“Helped me understand my options as a vaper”

I had no idea that vaping counted as smoking for insurance purposes. My adviser explained everything clearly, found a provider with reasonable vaper rates, and got me £100k of critical illness cover. Really grateful for the guidance.

Andrew W.
Andrew W.
Bristol • Critical Illness Cover
★★★★★
“Quit smoking and halved my premiums”

Got CIC as a smoker initially, then quit. After 12 months smoke-free, my adviser helped me get a new policy at non-smoker rates, saving me over £500 a year. Best financial motivation to stay quit.

Claire M.
Claire M.
Glasgow • Critical Illness Cover
★★★★★
“Honest about smoking and still got a great deal”

I was worried about declaring my smoking habit, but my adviser reassured me that honesty is essential. She found a specialist insurer who offered £75,000 of CIC cover for £38/month. Much better than I'd expected as a 20-a-day smoker.

Dave H.
Dave H.
Birmingham • Critical Illness Cover
★★★★★
“Cigar smoker rates were better than I thought”

I only smoke the occasional cigar, maybe once a month. My adviser knew which insurers classify occasional cigar smokers separately from regular cigarette smokers. I ended up paying £26/month for £100,000 of cover, which I was really pleased with.

Rebecca T.
Rebecca T.
Liverpool • Critical Illness Cover
★★★★★
“Switched from vaping to nicotine-free and saved a fortune”

I was using nicotine patches and my insurer classified me as a smoker. Once I'd been completely nicotine-free for 12 months, my adviser renegotiated my policy. I'm now paying £16/month instead of £42/month for the same £80,000 of cover.

Learn More

Related Guides

Dive deeper into critical illness cover and find the information that matters most for your situation.

What Is Critical Illness Cover?

Complete UK guide

How Much Does CIC Cost?

UK pricing breakdown

Is CIC Worth It?

Pros, cons, and who needs it

Conditions Covered by CIC

Full list of qualifying illnesses

Pre-Existing Conditions

Your options explained

Critical Illness vs Life Insurance

Key differences explained
Got Questions?

Critical Illness Cover for Smokers: Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, smokers can absolutely get critical illness cover in the UK. Every major insurer offers policies to smokers, though premiums will be significantly higher, typically 100–200% more than non-smoker rates. This is because smoking dramatically increases the risk of cancer, heart attack, and stroke, which are the conditions most commonly claimed on critical illness policies.
Smokers typically pay 100–200% more for critical illness cover compared to non-smokers. For example, if a non-smoker pays £30 per month, a smoker of the same age and health could pay £60–£90 per month for the same level of cover. The increase is higher for CIC than for life insurance because smoking directly increases the risk of the specific conditions CIC covers. See our guide to CIC costs.
Most UK insurers classify vapers and e-cigarette users as smokers for critical illness cover purposes. This means you will typically pay smoker rates if you vape. A small number of insurers are beginning to offer slightly better rates for vapers compared to cigarette smokers, but this is not yet widespread. An independent adviser can identify which insurers may offer better vaper rates.
Most UK insurers require you to have been completely smoke-free for at least 12 months before they will offer non-smoker rates. This includes all nicotine products, cigarettes, cigars, pipes, vapes, e-cigarettes, nicotine patches, and gum. Some insurers may require a longer period of up to 24 months.
Lying about smoking on your critical illness cover application is classed as non-disclosure and could void your entire policy. Insurers can and do test for nicotine, through cotinine tests in saliva, urine, or blood samples. If you make a claim and the insurer discovers you were a smoker, they can refuse to pay out entirely, leaving you with no cover when you need it most.
Yes, cannabis use will affect your critical illness cover. If you smoke cannabis, you will be classified as a smoker regardless of whether you also smoke tobacco. Some insurers may also load premiums further or apply exclusions depending on the frequency and method of cannabis use. Always disclose cannabis use honestly on your application.
Unfortunately, most insurers do not distinguish between occasional and regular smokers. If you have smoked any tobacco or nicotine product within the past 12 months, you will almost certainly be classified as a smoker and pay smoker rates. However, some insurers are more competitive for smokers than others, which is why comparing the whole market is essential.
The smoker loading is higher for critical illness cover because smoking directly and significantly increases the risk of the specific conditions CIC pays out for, particularly cancer, heart attack, and stroke. These three conditions account for around 85% of all critical illness claims. With life insurance, the insurer only pays out on death, whereas CIC pays out on diagnosis of a much wider range of smoking-related conditions during your lifetime.
Your existing policy premiums will not automatically reduce if you quit smoking. However, once you have been smoke-free for 12 months, you can apply for a new policy at non-smoker rates. It is usually worth getting new quotes after 12 months of quitting, as the savings can be substantial, potentially halving your premiums or more. Read our guide to how much CIC you need.
Different insurers price smoker risk differently, so comparing the whole market is essential. Some insurers that tend to be more competitive for smokers include Legal & General, Vitality, and Royal London, though the best option depends on your individual circumstances. An independent adviser comparing every UK insurer will find the most competitive rate for your situation.
Yes, using nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) such as patches, gum, lozenges, or sprays means you will be classified as a smoker by most insurers. You need to be completely free of all nicotine products, including NRT, for at least 12 months to qualify for non-smoker rates. This is because nicotine itself is detected in cotinine tests.
Arguably, critical illness cover is even more important for smokers than for non-smokers. Smokers are statistically far more likely to develop the conditions CIC covers, particularly cancer and heart disease. A tax-free lump sum on diagnosis can cover treatment costs, mortgage payments, and living expenses during recovery. While premiums are higher, the probability of claiming is also significantly higher, making it a worthwhile investment. Read our guide to whether CIC is worth it.

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