Manitowoc City Employees Who Smoke Will Soon Have To Pay More For Health Insurance

City workers in Manitowoc will be tested for nicotine this fall and charged an extra $100 per month in health insurance premiums if they smoke.

Manitowoc Mayor Justin Nickels said the tests are being implemented because the city is trying to improve health and save money.

“We’re just continually looking at ways where we can drive down costs by looking at the factors that cause higher health claims down the road, or even currently, and smoking is known to do that,” said Nickels.

Some people oppose tobacco surcharges because they disproportionately impact lower-income people, who are more likely to smoke. Additionally, groups like the American Lung Association say the surcharges don’t necessarily work.

“There’s no documented evidence that surcharges discourage smokers from smoking,” said Dona Wininsky, a spokesperson for the ALA’s Wisconsin chapter. “So it’s just another barrier to people who want to quit smoking.”

Tobacco user surcharges are becoming more common in the private sector, but they’ve been slower to catch on in public workplaces. Walker did include a $50 surcharge for smokers in the last budget, but later vetoed his own provision. Walker’s veto message last July pointed to federal guidelines issued after he drew up the fee plan. Those guidelines allow smokers to avoid the fee by joining a cessation program.

The city of Manitowoc will refund the additional money smokers pay for premiums if they quit. Mayor Nickels says programs will be offered to help them.