New Delhi, June 4 -- That occasional cigarette at a social gathering or a few puffs on a vape during a weekend outing may not appear particularly risky. However, insurers often view even infrequent tobacco use as a risk factor, which can have a noticeable impact on insurance costs.

Unlike what many consumers assume, insurance providers generally do not make a sharp distinction between regular smokers and those who use tobacco only occasionally. As a result, someone who smokes just a handful of times a year may still be classified as a smoker and could face premiums that are 30% to 50% higher than those charged to non-smokers, according to Moneyntrol.

Insurance companies typically define smokers broadly, often including anyone who has co...