Smokers and people who drink a lot of alcohol should pay higher health insurance premiums, according to a majority of people quoted in new research by the national statistics office CBS.

The Dutch health system is based on the principle of solidarity: everyone pays the same premium regardless of age, health or risky life-style.
However, some 55% of those polled said they back higher fees for smokers and heavy drinkers, while 25% back higher premiums for people who don’t exercise.
And 65% of non-smokers think smokers should pay more.
Last year, the healthcare council recommended that health insurance companies be allowed to charge smokers and people with unhealthy lifestyles higher premiums.