Smoke or vape? You can still be covered.
The short answer
Smokers and vapers can get term life insurance, but most UK insurers charge smoker rates if you have used any nicotine product, including vapes, patches or pouches, in the last 12 months. Always answer honestly. After 12 months nicotine-free, you can usually ask to move to non-smoker rates.
Who this cover may suit
- You smoke cigarettes, cigars or roll-ups, even occasionally.
- You vape, use nicotine patches, gum or pouches.
- You have recently quit and want to know when rates may change.
- You have a family or mortgage that relies on you.
When to consider another option
- You have not used nicotine in any form for over 12 months — you may qualify as a non-smoker; see term life insurance.
- You also have a health condition — see cover with medical conditions.
- You only need a small sum for a funeral later in life — see over-50s cover.
How it works
Tell us about you
A few simple questions about your age, health and what you want to protect.
Choose amount and term
Pick how much cover you want, its shape and how long it should last.
Review real options
See options based on your answers, with a real person to help if you want one.
How insurers define a smoker
Most UK insurers treat you as a smoker if you have used any tobacco or nicotine product in the last 12 months. MoneyHelper explains that smoking affects the cost of life cover. [2] Our smokers and vapers guide covers the details.
| Product | Usually treated as | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cigarettes, cigars, roll-ups | Smoker | Even occasional use |
| Vapes / e-cigarettes | Smoker | Nicotine-free vapes may differ |
| Patches, gum, pouches | Smoker | Contain nicotine |
| Quit over 12 months ago | Usually non-smoker | Check each insurer |
Why honesty protects your claim
Under the Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act 2012 you must take reasonable care to answer accurately. If an insurer finds you misrepresented your smoking, it can reduce or refuse a claim. Some insurers use tests for nicotine. Our underwriting guide explains what they ask.
A vaper who is planning to quit
Fictional example: Dan, 35, vapes daily, has a £170,000 mortgage and a partner and son. No prices are shown because real premiums depend on underwriting.
- Now
- Applies honestly at smoker rates
- Cover
- Decreasing mortgage cover plus level family cover
- After 12 months nicotine-free
- Asks insurer to review to non-smoker rates
- Trust
- Written in trust for his partner
His family is protected from day one, and he can seek lower rates once he has quit. See our cost guide.
Tax and trusts
Writing a policy in trust can keep the payout outside your estate, where Inheritance Tax is usually charged above £325,000. [4] HMRC explains how trusts are taxed. [5]
Smokers’ cover at a glance
What works well
- Cover is widely available to smokers and vapers.
- Rates may be reviewed after you quit.
- Protects your family now rather than later.
What to watch
- Smoker rates are usually higher.
- Vapes and patches usually count.
- Not disclosing can put a claim at risk.
The FCA’s market study into pure protection found that competition generally works well, while noting many households remain underinsured. [3] Answer every application question accurately: under the Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act 2012 you must take reasonable care not to misrepresent. [6]
Employer death-in-service cover is valuable, but MoneyHelper notes it usually ends when you leave the job. [7] If a claim is ever disputed, the Financial Ombudsman Service handles complaints about insurers free of charge. [8]
Keep exploring
Frequently asked questions
Can smokers get life insurance?
Yes. Smokers can usually get term life insurance from mainstream UK insurers. The main difference is cost: because smoking is linked to higher health risks, insurers usually charge higher premiums. The exact difference depends on your age, how much you smoke, your wider health and the insurer. Most people who smoke are offered cover on standard smoker terms. If you also have a health condition linked to smoking, the insurer may ask more questions, but that does not necessarily mean you will be refused cover.
Does vaping count as smoking for life insurance?
For most UK insurers, yes. Many insurers treat anyone who has used a vape or e-cigarette containing nicotine in the last 12 months as a smoker, the same as someone who smokes cigarettes. A small number may treat vapers differently, and some may take a different view of nicotine-free vapes. Because definitions vary, read the application question carefully and answer exactly what it asks. If you are unsure how your use would be treated, ask before you apply rather than guessing.
What if I lie about smoking on my application?
Not disclosing smoking is one of the most common reasons claims run into difficulty. Under the Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act 2012, you must take reasonable care not to misrepresent. If an insurer later finds you did not disclose smoking, it may reduce the payout, for example in proportion to the premium you should have paid, or in serious cases refuse the claim and cancel the policy. Being honest from the start protects your family’s claim, which is the whole point of the cover.
How long do I need to quit before non-smoker rates?
Most UK insurers use a period of 12 months without any nicotine, including vapes, patches, gum and pouches, before they will treat you as a non-smoker. Some may use a longer period. If you already have a policy at smoker rates and have since stopped for 12 months, you can usually ask your insurer whether it will review your premium, or apply for a new policy. Do not cancel existing cover until any new cover has been accepted and is in force.
Should I wait until I quit before getting life insurance?
Waiting can leave your family without cover during a period when they may need it. Your age will also increase, which usually raises premiums, and your health could change. Many people take cover now at smoker rates, then ask their insurer to review the price once they have been nicotine-free for 12 months. That way the family is protected from the start. The right choice depends on your circumstances, but a gap in cover is a risk worth thinking carefully about.
Do nicotine patches or gum count as smoking?
Many insurers do count nicotine replacement products, such as patches, gum, lozenges and pouches, because they contain nicotine and some insurers test for it. Others may treat people using nicotine replacement as part of a quit plan differently. Definitions vary, so read the application question carefully and answer exactly what it asks. If you are using nicotine replacement to stop smoking, that is a positive step, and it may help you reach non-smoker rates sooner once you have been nicotine-free for the required time.
Sources
- Association of British Insurers — Protection insurers pay out £7.84 billion in claims in 2025 (2026-06-29)
- MoneyHelper — What is life insurance? (2026-09-28)
- Financial Conduct Authority — MS24/1.5 Market Study into the Distribution of Pure Protection Insurance Products: Final Report (2026-09-21)
- GOV.UK — How Inheritance Tax works: thresholds, rules and allowances (2026-09-28)
- HM Revenue & Customs — Trusts and Inheritance Tax (2010-11-08)
- legislation.gov.uk — Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act 2012 (2012-03-08)
- MoneyHelper — Life insurance through work (2026-09-28)
- Financial Ombudsman Service — Complain about a financial business (2026-09-28)
- Office for National Statistics — Inflation and price indices (2026-09-17)
- GOV.UK — Bereavement Support Payment (2026-09-28)
- legislation.gov.uk — Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (2003-04-10)
- GOV.UK — Funeral Expenses Payment (2026-09-28)
- NHS — Cancer (2026-09-28)
- GOV.UK — Trusts and taxes (2026-09-28)