At A Glance

Will Figg for The Wall Street Journal

At A Glance

The Background

The U.S. e-cigarette market has ballooned to $2.5 billion in annual sales from almost nothing eight years ago, according to a Wells Fargo estimate.

Current Situation

Only about 40% of insurance underwriters have a formal policy with respect to e-cigarette use, according to a survey by Munich American Reinsurance.

A Rare Agreement

Both the tobacco industry and health-advocacy groups are opposed to an insurance surcharge for e-cigarette users, saying suchfees discourage traditional smokers from switching to a potentially safer alternative or run counter to the intent of health reform's goal of increasing coverage.

Pros and Cons

Electronic cigarettes, which deliver nicotine through a vapor instead of smoke, are generally considered less dangerous than traditional smokes. But nicotine has health effects and e-cigs, which also produce formaldehyde, a carcinogen, haven't been closely studied.