By now, everyone knows the health risks associated with smoking. Because of the illnesses that result from lighting up, the cost of health insurance for everyone has risen dramatically. A recent news report estimated that each year, tobacco abuse costs the country nearly $160 billion in medical expenses and lost worker productivity. Now, health insurance companies, employers and the federal government have banded together to do everything they can to discourage nicotine abuse.

First, smokers looking to buy health insurance on their own can expect to pay anywhere from 10 to 40 percent more on their monthly premiums than non-smokers. Further, smokers who also have related health conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes can be placed into high risk pools that make the cost of insurance prohibitive.

Employers who offer their workers health insurance benefits have begun to penalize smokers by making them pay more into their monthly premiums than non-smokers at these companies. Other employers have come up with incentives to discourage smoking, like smoking cessation, dieting and fitness programs. In some cases, employers will even contribute toward gym memberships.

The federal government's Affordable Care Act also contains several provisions aimed at getting smokers to quit the habit. Among them, states can no longer exclude coverage for smoking cessation medications that have been proven to work, Medicaid must cover cessation programs for pregnant women, and states that voluntarily cover preventative measures for tobacco abusers who are on Medicaid will get extra federal reimbursements.

Hopefully, with the exploration of all these avenues to defeat nicotine addiction, more and more smokers will be able to quit and healthcare