Vaping and Life Insurance: Why Disclosure Matters

People who vape may still be classified as smokers by life insurers in South Africa, making accurate disclosure important when applying for cover or reviewing an existing policy. A report by FA News says undisclosed vaping or nicotine use may create policy complications, including disputes over claims.

The issue is also relevant to South Africa’s proposed Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill. At the time described in the source article, the bill was being reviewed by Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Health. If passed by the National Assembly, it would bring electronic cigarettes, vapes and other electronic nicotine delivery systems under tobacco control legislation.

Why insurers may treat vaping as smoking

Dr Tasneem Fredericks, a medical adviser at Sanlam, says some people who vape believe it is substantially safer than smoking tobacco. While vaping may avoid some harmful products created by burning tobacco, she cautions that it should not be considered harmless and that important questions about its long-term effects remain.

Vaping products can expose users to substances that may affect cardiovascular and respiratory health. The source article also describes possible effects such as increased heart rate and blood pressure, lung irritation and inflammation, and exposure to toxic substances including heavy metals. It says the full long-term consequences, including possible cancer risks, are not yet fully understood.

Dr Fredericks says nicotine use, whether through smoking, vaping, chewing or pouches, places ongoing stress on the cardiovascular system. The article reports that South African insurers classify vapers under their smoker definition rather than using a separate vaping category. It says insurers have no reliable way to distinguish vaping from smoking through medical tests for underwriting purposes.

Disclosure and existing policies

Applicants should accurately report vaping or other nicotine use rather than assuming that not smoking cigarettes means they can answer no to questions about tobacco or nicotine. People who already have insurance can check their policy and speak with their insurer if they think their current nicotine use should be disclosed.

According to Dr Fredericks, failing to disclose vaping may be treated as material misrepresentation. The source article says this could lead to a rejected claim, reduced benefits or policy cancellation, potentially leaving the policyholder and beneficiaries without financial support.

The article also says that people who stop using nicotine for at least 12 months may be eligible for reassessment as non-smokers, depending on the insurer’s requirements. Anyone who quits can keep a record of when they stopped and check with their insurer about the period required for reassessment.

Switching from cigarettes to vaping does not remove nicotine use, the source article stresses. For insurance purposes, the key message is to disclose use accurately and check the terms of the individual policy.