“Have you smoked any cigarettes or marijuana in the last 12 months?

Have you used any other tobacco or nicotine-based products or smoking cessation aids in the last 12 months?”

Even if you only smoke tobacco or marijuana infrequently, it is vital to disclose this information. Failure to do so is an opportunity for the life insurance company to contest paying the death benefit if you die.

The key time period is the year prior to making the application. If you smoked several years earlier but stopped more than 12 months before, your rates will not be affected. Similarly, if you qualify for life insurance and start smoking at any time after your coverage is confirmed, your premium rates will not go up for the remainder of the term (i.e. 20 years.)