Smoking, and other forms of tobacco use, are harmful to your health, and may shorten your life span. Smoking can reduce your life expectancy, which is the main reason rates for smokers are higher when it comes to life insurance.

It is not unusual for long term smokers to develop cancer of the lungs, throat or mouth. Many smokers also develop COPD or emphysema. 

Any of these chronic health conditions will shorten your life expectancy by years.

If the life insurance company ...

The rate for smokers life insurance coverage is about three times that of life insurance for non-smokers.

If you are getting No Exam life insurance insurance, the rates for a smoker and nonsmoker are not as far apart as that, but those rates usually start out higher for non smokers than with an exam.

If there is a health problem which cigarettes compound the seriousness of the disease, the life insurance rates for a smoker can be even higher.

The good news is that if you quit ...