Smoking cigars and medicals

[ayepatz]

Got to have a medical exam on Tuesday for my mortgage insurance policy.

I understand that they now do a mouth swab to see whether or not you are a smoker.

Anyone know about how this works?

My last cigar was on Thursday, and I had a few snus on Friday, but nothing since.

I'm not a regular smoker - quit cigarettes 19 years ago - and normally I only have 2-3 cigars week, and snus only when I see my mate from Sweden once a year.

[Fuzz]

Swab tests are a cheap way for insurance companies to test for drugs and general health of a person. Far cheaper than blood and urine tests, and don't require any training to perform.

The test checks for cotinine. If you are not a regular smoker, the chemical should not be detectable after several days. However, if you smoke regularly (2-3 times a week would be considered regularly), then the levels would take much longer to fall.

[ayepatz]

Swab tests are a cheap way for insurance companies to test for drugs and general health of a person. Far cheaper than blood and urine tests, and don't require any training to perform.

The test checks for cotinine. If you are not a regular smoker, the chemical should not be detectable after several days. However, if you smoke regularly (2-3 times a week would be considered regularly), then the levels would take much longer to fall.

Thanks Fuzz. I'm averaging out my intake. When I'm working, I can go weeks without, then if I have a bit of free time, I might smoke every day for a week or so. Had one cigar in the last 10 days, so hopefully might be ok...

[Fuzz]

Cotinine can be detectable in saliva up to a week. You should be good.

[DoubleDD]

If it is just a swab you should be ok. If it is blood and urine then you are going to get caught.

[Drguano]

If they do not detect any evidence and mark you as a non-tobacco user, what happens if you file a claim down the road and they find that you have had the occasional stogie?

[ayepatz]

I'll own up to occasional smoking. Just don't want branded as a chain-smoker!

[Fuzz]

If they do not detect any evidence and mark you as a non-tobacco user, what happens if you file a claim down the road and they find that you have had the occasional stogie?

Depends on whether you admitted to being an occasional smoker when you took out the insurance policy. If you lied and said you weren't a smoker, but then they find out you are, it can void your policy.

At least, that's what happens down here. Not sure about the UK or US, but I'd imagine it'd be the same.

[Drguano]

Depends on whether you admitted to being an occasional smoker when you took out the insurance policy. If you lied and said you weren't a smoker, but then they find out you are, it can void your policy.

At least, that's what happens down here. Not sure about the UK or US, but I'd imagine it'd be the same.

Pretty much the same except with coverage from the company for whom I work, you are either a tobacco user or not. If you are, health insurance costs an additional $250 a year. No difference between cigarette chain smoker and occasional cigar enthusiast. I figure it is worth an extra $5.00 a week to enjoy a cigar with a clear conscience.

[jazzboypro]

I don't know the difference in prices between smoker and non-smoker but i don't think it's worth telling a lie about it. I don't

Cheers

[ayepatz]

To be clear, it's not my intention to mislead them. I will tell them my intake and be completely honest.

But I was just interested to know how it all works.

Would a mouth swab back me up in saying I'm only occasional smoker, or not.

From what peeps are saying, it doesn't sound like an exact measure, just a simple yes/no result.

[Ken Gargett]

when i took mine out, i told them i had an occasional cigar. but never a cigarette. was totally honest. they said it would be fine. but was actually wondering about it the other day. might raise it again.

had a chest x-ray the other day (was bulk-billed so no cost). was not specifically for smoking but i suspect it is not a bad idea, especially when you are as old as people like rob and myself. all clear, touch wood.

[ayepatz]

all clear, touch wood.

Hope so! To be honest, I think my fat-b*****dness might be a bigger issue...

[jat]

It's a good topic as I had a similar experience the other day, filling in a form at the doctors.

I'd come to the "Are you a smoker" question. I always wavered on this.

I'm not a "smoker" as in 50 a day, cancer sticks full of 400+ chemicals, addictive, finger staining, leading to lots of horrible pictures on cigarette and cigar boxes, etc.

I'm a "smoker", as in 2-3 cigars per week, non-addictive, chemical free, etc and therefore "not a smoker". Yeah that sounds like bullshit.

So depending on how I'm feeling on the day and how many more smoking related questions there are to fill in, I make a choice on the day.

This day I ticked "yes" and left the rest of the questions unanswered.

Doctor reviews the sheet, probably sees a few blank spaces and asked, "so how many a day"?

I explain I smoke cigars, find them good for relieving stress.

Doctor writes cigars on my sheet and says, "Good, stress will kill you before cigars will, just don't over do it".

Then I get the usual, your overweight, need more exercise and should cut down on the booze. He's right there.

Do we all fess up to being 'smokers' when asked or quickly attempt to qualify 'smoking' because we don't want to give people the wrong idea ??

[joeypots]

My blood test came back positive and I hadn't smoked a cigar for three weeks. There was no grey area in their interpretation of the results. I am a smoker, occasional or otherwise made no difference to the rate they charge for my life insurance.

[Fuzz]

Blood tests can detect traces of cotinine in smaller amount than the saliva test. Your genes can also determine how well you metabolize nicotine.

And if you use nicotine patches/gum/sprays, it will definitely come up positive.

[jazzboypro]

From an insurance company's point of view is there such a thing as an occasional smoker ? i always thought that either you're a smoker or you're not.

Might be wrong !!!

[dowjr1]

The idea is to tell them about your occasional cigar but then have zero nicotine in your system during the blood test. I am an agent but also write my own policies. So I see what they look at and am in the "Super Preferred" category...which is the top rating.

[toasterhead]

While filling out forms for my last (and final) life insurance policy, the questions were,

"Do you smoke cigarettes?"...NO

"Do you smoke cigars?... YES

I abstained for 3 weeks. My tests were negative for nicotine or metabolites.

Later, a "nurse" with a robotic voice called and asked how many cigars I smoked. I replied, "1-10 per month, it depends"..

I heard a rustling of paper, and then the best question, "Do you smoke the occasional celebratory cigar?"

After a moments reflection, I replied, "Why, yes!"

End of interview.

Dave

[ayepatz]

So they did a piss test - FAIL!

I explained it was just one cigar last week, but, because I was honest about smoking cigars, they've offered me re-test in 3 weeks.

Bit annoying as I hadn't had one for a while before that, and would have come up clean. Ho-hum.

[PapaDisco]

The last time I got tested for insurance in the U.S. the guy seemed pretty nonchalant about occasional ("celebratory" a la Toasterhead) cigars. They did a blood test and I never heard the results or got a call but was classified "non-smoker." I have a pal in the U.S. that just took an insurance physical, I'll ask him how his came out as he only laid off the stogies a week before.

[jholen]

Ah, the joys of getting my term life before becoming a cigar smoker!

Here's to you passing in three weeks brother!

[El Presidente]

I have a myriad of insurances. I know I am one of PJ Byrnes biggest clients because he brings me cupcakes every renewal

I pay a poultice of insurances. Some $25k annually of which 100% are personal coverage in different guises. Business insurances are added on.

Am capped as a "smoker' for the past decade. They can't take the insurances away or raise the risk/premium levels.

Still with family and staff to protect it is a price I am more than willing to pay.

[Vinnyc]

Ah, the joys of getting my term life before becoming a cigar smoker!

Here's to you passing in three weeks brother!

If something happened you now and it turns out they would now class you as a smokier would this void your insurance? Would they say it's down to you to inform them of changes in your lifestyle?

[jholen]

If something happened you now and it turns out they would now class you as a smokier would this void your insurance? Would they say it's down to you to inform them of changes in your lifestyle?

My understanding is that because it's 20 year term, the rate is determined at the age/health status of when you purchase it, ie. it doesn't change as I age/near death. If it was whole life I suppose it would scale with my changes in status (age, smoker status/etc).