Poll: most Americans want to smokers to cough up more money for health insurance

Kevin Lyons

If you smoke, it is likely that your neighbours want allows you to pay higher health premiums they do.

Six of 10 Americans believe that it is OK to set the increase in premiums of insurance for smokers, according to a July 7-10, 1,016 adults Gallup poll.

American smokers generate approximately 96 billion a year in direct health care costs and 97 billion per year in lost productivity, according to the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC estimates cigarettes approximately 46 million people (20 per cent of all adults) smoke in the United States; smoking is the leading cause of preventable death, accounting for 443,000 deaths each year.

Still, an official of the American Lung Association said that it would be detrimental to make it more expensive for smokers obtain health insurance.

"We have a concern about the creation of additional barriers to be able to afford to get health insurance, smoking," says Paul Billings, vice President of the national policy and outreach to the American Lung Association. "7 Out of 10 people want to quit smoking, need us their health care system, which provides access to an assistance and (cessation).".

The same survey also indicated that four out of ten people think it is OK to set the increase in premiums of insurance for people who are overweight.

Obesity continues to be a problem in the United States. The CDC estimates of obesity-related health costs were $ 147 billion in 2008. About of all three American adults is obese (body mass index greater than 30), according to the CDC. Obesity is often a factor in some of the main causes of death, like heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

When the federal health reform legislation is in full speed in 2014, it is illegal for companies to health insurance to health insurance to deny or charge premiums higher under the pre-existing conditions - including excess weight and to be a smoker.

The survey also reveals attitudes face of Americans to hire people who smoke or are overweight, with more than eight of every 10 people saying that companies should not be able to refuse employment of workers in these categories.

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