Preferred non-tobacco is a commonly used life insurance underwriting class for applicants who meet a carrier's preferred health criteria and have not used tobacco within a specified look-back period. Requirements typically include no cigarette smoking, limited or no use of other nicotine products, and clean or near-clean medical history and labs. The preferred non-tobacco class generally offers significantly lower premiums than standard non-tobacco or any tobacco class because expected mortality is lower. Each carrier defines its own rules for how occasional cigar use, vaping, nicotine replacement therapy, or marijuana use interact with preferred non-tobacco status, so details matter during field underwriting.

In day-to-day quoting, advisors often ask whether clients are "preferred non-tobacco" as shorthand for top health and no recent smoking history. Illustration software and rate calculators frequently default to preferred non-tobacco for sample premiums, then adjust once health and lifestyle details are known. Wholesalers coach producers to ask nuanced nicotine questions to avoid unpleasant surprises when underwriting discovers positive cotinine tests or undisclosed cigar habits. When a client does qualify for preferred non-tobacco, advisors highlight the premium savings compared with standard or tobacco classes and emphasize the financial value of maintaining a smoke-free lifestyle for future insurance needs.