The authors add that those affected by the rise will also be offered help to quit smoking.
“The additional premium charge is intended to draw attention to the dangers of smoking and Skandia hopes it will contribute to a reduction in the number of smokers in Sweden,” the article continues.
The increase, of between 25 and 50 percent, will apply to all new policies, including health insurance, individual accident coverage, and life, premium-free and private care insurance.
According to the article, a person who has abstained from smoking for twelve months will no longer be required to pay the extra charge since the risk to the community as a whole will have been substantially reduced.