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Employment · Active Investigation

AutoZone Tobacco Surcharge Investigation — Smokers & Vapers May Be Owed Money

Published October 14, 2025
Updated July 13, 2026

Attorneys are investigating whether AutoZone charged smoking or vaping employees extra tobacco or wellness surcharges on health insurance. If you paid one in the last six years, you may have a claim.

AutoZone employee smoker surcharge investigation

About This AutoZone Investigation

You may be eligible for substantial compensation. Attorneys are investigating whether AutoZone improperly charged smoking or vaping employees extra health insurance fees called tobacco or wellness surcharges. If you work at AutoZone or worked there within the last six years and you paid a tobacco surcharge, you may have a claim.




Status No Longer Accepting Submissions This investigation has closed to new submissions — a licensed attorney may still be able to help.
Coverage Period Up to 6 Years current or former AutoZone employees
Estimated Payout Varies depends on how long surcharges were applied and your documentation
Proof Required Yes pay stubs, benefits summaries, plan documents, or enrollment confirmations

How Do I Qualify

The lookback period is up to six years. You may qualify if:




What Is a Tobacco or Wellness Surcharge

A tobacco or wellness surcharge is an added fee some employers charge workers who smoke, vape, or do not complete wellness requirements. These fees are commonly between $50 and $100 per month and are added to premium costs.



How Much Money Could You Get Back

The amount varies based on how long surcharges were applied and on your documentation. Over multiple years these fees can total hundreds or thousands of dollars.



What Proof Can Strengthen Your Case

Helpful items include:




Can You Still Qualify If You Quit Smoking or Vaping

Yes. If you paid surcharges any time within the last six years while at AutoZone you may qualify even if you have since quit.



This Investigation Is No Longer Accepting Submissions

OpenClassActions is no longer collecting submissions for this investigation, and there is no settlement or public claim form at this time. This page remains online for reference.

If you believe you were affected, you may still be able to pursue a claim by speaking with a licensed attorney of your choosing. You can also browse our open class action settlements and active investigations to see what is currently accepting claims.



For more open class actions keep scrolling below.
Status No Longer Accepting Submissions
Company AutoZone
Coverage Period Looking back up to 6 years
Who May Qualify Current or former AutoZone employees who smoked or vaped, enrolled in employer health insurance, and paid a tobacco or wellness surcharge within the last 6 years
Estimated Payout Varies by facts and documentation
Proof Yes — pay stubs showing a surcharge, benefits summaries, plan documents, or enrollment confirmations
Cost to Participate No out-of-pocket cost for evaluation
Relevant Law ERISA § 702 wellness-program alternative-standard and disclosure rules

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