Yes, in most cases. With health insurance costs raising dramatically in recent years, especially for smokers, many employers have started charging smokers higher premiums. Employers hope that increased premiums to smokers will encourage them to quit smoking, saving money and future health problems. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), which eliminates discrimination for many health conditions, still permits employers and insurers to increase premiums for smokers while reducing premiums for non-smokers. Even the state laws that protect smokers from being fired for smoking contain exceptions that allow employers to charge smokers higher insurance premiums.