Over 70% Respondents Ignore Warnings on Cigarette Packets, Says ICICI Lombard Survey “What’s Our 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.

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 GIC Ltd. is one of the leading private sector general insurance companies in India with a Gross Written Premium (GWP) of Rs 83.07 billion for the year ended March 31, 2016. The company issued over 15.80 million policies and settled over 1.62 million claims as on March 31, 2016.

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.

For more information, please visit our website www.icicilombard.com