Cotinine testing for the UK insurance industry

Smoking is the most important preventable cause of premature death and chronic debilitating illness. Consequently, it is an important factor when determining risk by insurance companies for issuing life insurance. Because the risks are significantly higher in smokers the premiums are much greater, up to three times greater than non-smokers. Consequently many smokers wish not to disclose their smoking behaviour when questioned.

Consequently, cotinine testing has been carried out by insurance companies during their medical assessments prior to issuing insurance cover. Traditionally, this involved general practitioners proving medical reports following examination, laboratory testing and assessments of medical records. Cotinine testing was usually by saliva collection, which was sent to a laboratory for analysis. This was time consuming and expensive.

The modern approach is for peripatetic nurses to visit the homes or work places of applicants and carry out a simpler medical examination. This includes assessment of height, weight, blood pressure and urine analysis for diabetes and kidney function. 

One company in the UK, Medibureau has started using SmokeScreen to verify smoking habit as part of their medical testing. This can use the same sample as that used for other urinalysis. It can be carried out by nurses in the field and it provides an immediate result. This data can then be sent back to the office electronically, setting in place the administrative quicker - an important issue for the inurance companies.