HealthMine Survey Reveals Consumers See Vaping as Less Harmful to Health than Smoking

HealthMine Survey of 562 consumers with a company-sponsored health plan shows more in favor of health insurance hikes for tobacco smokers than e-cigarette smokers

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HealthMine

Apr 10, 2015, 07:00 ET

SAN FRANCISCO, April 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- While researchers continue to debate the safety of e-cigarettes over conventional tobacco smoking, consumers view traditional cigarettes as more dangerous, according to a January 2015 HealthMine survey of 562 consumers with company-sponsored health plans. 63% of consumers believe colleagues that smoke tobacco products should pay more for health insurance, while only 48% of consumers believe that e-cigarette smokers should be penalized. The survey was fielded by Survey Sampling International (SSI) in February 2015.

As marketing campaigns promoting vaping to children and teens come under attack by state governments, this consumer perception may signal growing confusion over the impact of e-cigarettes, and a need for some guidance. The survey also uncovered that consumers overwhelmingly want their employers to offer incentives and rewards to help them manage and improve their health. 71% of respondents desire help from their companies in the form of programs and guidelines for health management. What's more, 75% of consumers believe an incentive level would motivate them to take action to improve their health towards personal goals or needs.

Said Bryce Williams, president and CEO of HealthMine, "The long term effects of e-cigarette smoking are largely undetermined. But that's not stopping employers and health plans from setting incentives and disincentives for both vaping and tobacco smoking, even as they continue to watch the issue. As health plan sponsors take on a larger and more active role in helping members manage and improve their health, they'll need to keep a close eye on this topic."

About the Survey
The HealthMine Wellness Engagement Survey data were collected via an opt-in panel from Survey Sampling International. The margin of error is 4%. Survey Sampling International (SSI) has been the Worldwide Leader in Survey Sampling and Data Collection Solutions, across every mode, for 37 Years.

Key Results below:

Q: Do you think that your colleagues that smoke tobacco products should pay more for health insurance?

Yes	63%
No	37%

Q: Do you think that your colleagues that smoke electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes known as "vaping" should pay more for health insurance?

Yes	48%
No	52%

Q: Do you think that your employer, or sponsor of your health plan, should offer a program and guidelines to help you improve and manage your health?

Yes	71%
No	29%

Q: Do you think that your employer, or sponsor of your health plan, should offer incentives, or rewards, to help you improve and manage your health?

Yes	75%
No	25%

About HealthMine
HealthMine, a leading consumer health engagement company, has developed the wellness industry's first and only Personal Clinical Engagement (PCE) technology platform. HealthMine PCE automatically connects comprehensive clinical data with tailored recommendations, resources and incentives to create a personalized health portal available on any mobile device. HealthMine has more than one million users today, and has saved employers and payers more than $100 million in healthcare costs. The company, founded in 2008, is based in Dallas, Texas with offices in San Francisco, New York and Minneapolis.

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SOURCE HealthMine