I Only Use Nicotine When I Drink — What Do I Do for Life Insurance?

Quick Answer: If you only use nicotine socially while drinking, you can still qualify for affordable life insurance. Whether it’s a cigarette, vape, Zyn, or cigar at the bar, LifeStein knows which companies offer fair rates for occasional users. Click here to check your rates in seconds.

Does Occasional Nicotine Use Matter for Life Insurance?

Yes — even infrequent use can affect your rates.

Whether you only smoke when drinking, sneak a vape at a party, or throw in a Zyn on a night out, insurance carriers care about any nicotine use. That includes:

• Cigarettes

• Cigars

• Vapes (JUUL, Elfbar, etc.)

• Nicotine pouches like Zyn, VELO, or On!

• Dip/chewing tobacco

  
  

Some carriers don’t distinguish between daily use and rare use — which is why working with LifeStein gives you the edge.

How Long Does Nicotine Stay in Your System?

Even if you only use nicotine “once in a while,” it can still show up on a life insurance exam.

Test Type	Nicotine/Cotinine Detection Window
Blood	1–3 days
Urine	3–10 days
Saliva	1–4 days
Hair	Up to 90 days

Most insurers test for cotinine, a byproduct of nicotine. That’s why even a single vape during happy hour can flag you as a nicotine user.

Guy T's Story: The Social User Who Still Got Covered

“I only vaped when I was drinking — maybe once or twice a month. Still, I tested positive on the life insurance exam and thought I was stuck with smoker rates. Matt at LifeStein explained everything, found me a carrier that didn’t overreact, and got me the rate I deserved. I’d recommend them 100 times over.”— Guy T., Nashville, TN

What Should I Do If I Only Use Nicotine When Drinking?

✅ 1. Be Honest, But Smart

Never lie on a life insurance application. If your test comes back positive and you claimed to be nicotine-free, the carrier could:

• Increase your rates

• Cancel your policy

• Void your payout during the contestability period

  
  

Instead, tell us what you use and how often. We’ll help frame your situation with the most forgiving carriers.

✅ 2. Time Your Application Wisely

Haven’t used nicotine in 30+ days? You may qualify for non-smoker rates. Even better if:

• You haven’t vaped or smoked in 60–90 days

• You’re only using pouches occasionally

• You choose a no-exam policy (more below)

  
  

Cigarettes, Vapes, and Pouches: How They’re Rated Differently

Here’s how most insurers rank common nicotine sources:

Nicotine Product	Likely Insurance Rating
Cigarettes (even occasional)	Smoker or Tobacco User
Cigars	Often Smoker unless infrequent
Vapes/JUUL/Elfbar	Tobacco User (with some exceptions)
Zyn, VELO, On!	Usually Standard or Standard Plus
Nicotine gum/patch	Often non-smoker, varies
Dip/chew	Typically Tobacco rating

Good news: LifeStein has helped people get better ratings even with nicotine in their system, as long as it’s infrequent and honest.

LifeStein’s Secret Sauce: We Know the Market

We work with every major life insurance company, including:

• Legal & General (Banner Life)

• Protective

• Symetra

• Corebridge

• Penn Mutual

• Pacific Life

• Principal

• Transamerica

• Nationwide

• Mutual of Omaha

• Lincoln Financial

• Securian

• AuguStar

• Thrivent

• Cincinnati Life

• Ethos (no exam option)

• New York Life...and many more

  
  

We know which carriers are more flexible with nicotine, and how to get you the best rate even if you're a “just when I drink” kind of user.

I only smoke when I drink: What Do I Do With Life Insurance?

Prefer No Medical Exam? Try Instant Coverage

Don't want to deal with blood or urine tests? We've got you.

With Ethos, you can get:

• Up to $2 million in coverage

• No exams

• Fast, online approval

• Nicotine-friendly underwriting

  
  

If you’re generally healthy but occasionally use nicotine, this is a great option.

Don’t Guess. Get a Free Quote & Custom Plan.

Here’s how to take the next step:

1. Wait 30+ days after your last use (if possible)

2. Get a quote here

3. Or if you want permanent coverage, we’ll help you apply for a whole life policy

4. Be transparent about your habits — LifeStein positions your application with carriers that get it

5. Lock in coverage before rates go up or your health changes

   
   

Why Trust LifeStein?

We don’t guess. Our advice is grounded in data from top insurance references, including:

• Life Insurance Fact Book (2024 Edition)

• Life Insurance: The Great National Hazard by Charles W. L. Love

• The Complete Guide to Life Insurance

• Life and Health Insurance License Exam Manual

• CISR HS Life and Health SLG (Student Edition)

  
  

Our team has worked with every kind of user — from casual Zyn guys to cigar-once-a-month folks — and we know how to help you win the best rate.

Final Word: You’re Not Alone

Whether it’s a cigarette with whiskey, a Zyn with a beer, or a cigar at a wedding, you're not the only one mixing nicotine and alcohol socially.

The key is knowing how to time your application, how to disclose honestly, and who to trust to guide you through the process.

That’s where we come in.

Let’s find your best rate today.

👉 Start your quote in 30 seconds

Or call/text Matt Mims directly: (601) 218-7854

Email: mattmims@lifestein.com