About 55% smokers do not own a Health
Insurance policy
World No Tobacco Day, May 31.
ICICI Lombard Survey “What’s your stand on
smoking?”
·
80% respondents exposed to passive smoking regularly with 53% of them on
a daily basis
·
Nearly half the survey universe felt smoking is too addictive a habit to
quit
·
57% smokers do not own a Health Insurance policy
Even as
the debate over the size of warnings on cigarette packets continues to evoke
strong reactions, smokers seem to have made up their mind an overwhelming 72% of respondents say that
pictoral warnings or plain packaging would have little impact on their habit.
Also, only
24% the respondents polled stated that increase in ‘sin taxes’ would compel
smokers to give up the habit with 41% of them saying that a stricter imposition
on banning smoking in public places would be widely appreciated.
The above, among other significant findings, are
part of an ICICI Lombard survey “What’s your stand on smoking?” released today
ahead of the ‘World No Tobacco Day’. To highlight the health risks associated
with tobacco use and generate awareness, the WHO commemorates World No
Tobacco Day on May 31. “Get ready for plain packaging” is the theme set for
this year’s campaign. It is worrisome to note then that 53% of the respondents
polled stated that they are exposed to some part of passive smoking on a daily
basis with a higher percentage (80%) getting exposed at least once a week
Work-related stress (35%) and peer-pressure (38%)
were among the chief reasons for people to take up smoking with 49% of the
respondents stating it has become a habit hard to quit. Though a small
percentage, but it is worth stating that 20% of the respondents felt that
smoking is ‘just another habit’ which in moderation should not cause any
problems.
 |
| Sanjay Datta, Chief-Underwriting, Claims & Reinsurance, ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Ltd. |
Commenting on the Survey, Mr. Sanjay Datta,
Chief-Underwriting, Claims & Reinsurance, ICICI Lombard General Insurance
Company Ltd. said, "The ICICI Lombard survey reveals interesting
insights but most significantly it underscores the fact that the fight against
smoking is far from over.
One of the most alarming findings of the survey
was that only 10% of the respondents felt the need to buy a health insurance
policy as a measure to combat the problem. It thereby emphasizes that as
insurers and as a society, we are yet a long way away from spreading full
awareness about the ill-effects of smoking.”
57% of the
survey participants stated that they do not hold a health Insurance policy
while 77% of those who had a policy said that they own a regular health
insurance policy as against a specialized policy with critical illness or one
with high deductibles.
ICICI Lombard conducted the national wide survey
in the age group 22-45 to which they received over 1000 responses.
About ICICI Lombard General Insurance
ICICI Lombard GIC Ltd. is a joint venture between
ICICI Bank Limited and Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited, a Canada-based
diversified financial services company engaged in general insurance,
reinsurance, insurance claims management and investment management.
ICICI Lombard General Insurance has won the
coveted “Golden Peacock Award for Corporate Social Responsibility, 2015. The
company has received the award for its continuous contribution to CSR and
specially for its ‘Caring Hands’ initiative, an employee volunteering CSR
program.
ICICI Lombard was also conferred with the
‘E-Business Leader’ Award in the General Insurance Category at the 5th annual
edition of the Indian Insurance Award 2015 for its performance, growth, product
and market innovation, customer service and technology. ICICI Lombard has also
won the prestigious Celent Model Insurer Award, 2016 for legacy and Eco-system
transformation.
The company also received the Golden Peacock
Innovation Management Award 2015 for innovation across multiple functions of
its business operations and promoting the 'culture of innovation', with
specific acclaim for the company's approach in 'Mobility Solutions' and
'Customer Centric Initiatives'. ICICI Lombard was also named as the "Best
Travel Insurance Company" by CNBC Awaaz Travel Awards 2015 presented by
the Chattisgarh Government based on an online and on-air survey.
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