The federal government proposed on Monday for Medicare to cover the annual lung cancer screenings of people with a long history of smoking.

Lung cancer is the primary cause of cancer death and the second most common in the United States. Cigarette smoking is the top cause of the disease although one can also acquire it from second-hand smoking and exposure to substances that irritate the lungs.

The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a draft proposal that would benefit about four million people aged 55 to 74 who smoke at least a pack per day for 30 years. Those who have quit the habit 15 years ago are also included. It will take effect in 2015 once approved, Healthday News reported.

"The American Lung Association applauds Medicare for this life-saving announcement," Harold Wimmer, national president and CEO of the lung association, said in a statement. "Today's proposal by Medicare will save lives, increasing the low survival rates associated with lung cancer, our nation's leading cancer killer."

The draft was written by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a panel of experts that recommends health policies to the government. The researchers suggested the inclusion of CT scans in Medicare after a research involving 53,000 older smokers showed that the procedure can reduce lung cancer deaths by 20 percent.

Those who would like to avail the annual lung cancer screening would be required to commit to quitting smoking and counseling. The CT scans will be facilitated by experienced radiologists from accredited centers.

The proposal is open for public comments until Dec. 10, and the final decision will be released in February 2015. It is unlikely that the proposal will be rejected, although there might be minor changes that may happen.

"This is important validation, and it ends the debate," said Laurie Fenton Ambrose, president of the Lung Cancer Alliance, to the New York Times. "Screening saves lives. The public needs to know that."