Bad habits and higher premiums

Most Americans believe smokers should pay more for health insurance, but they have mixed views on how to help the millions without any health insurance, according to a new survey.

The poll of about 1,500 people found that that about 80% believe the U.S. health insurance system, with 46.6 million uninsured, needs fixing. Sixty percent of those polled favored higher premiums for smokers while 30% felt the obese should pay more.

"When it comes to personal responsibility, consumers increasingly support making people pay more for unhealthy behavior," said the report published online last week in the journal Health Affairs.