County to ban hiring smokers

[TropicalBob]

Add another to a growing list. And it's really a no-nicotine policy. We e-smokers will test positive in saliva or urine tests for cotinine, a byproduct of nicotine consumption and the easiest way to test for smoking. We could not e-smoke and be employed in this county. This is a HUGE problem for those switching from real tobacco, and its known health hazards, to safer e-smoking.

From The Miami Herald:

If you smoke or use tobacco, don't bother applying for a job with Escambia County government.

Starting Oct. 1, the county will have a tobacco-free hiring policy. All applicants for county jobs are currently required to take a drug test, which will be expanded to include testing for tobacco use. Any applicant testing positive for tobacco will not be eligible.

It's one of several policies county commissioners approved Thursday aimed at improving the health of employees and to get the county's health insurance costs under control, said John Weber, a human resources supervisor for the county who specializes in employee benefits.

The county also is enacting a 50-foot smoking ban from the entrance or exit of any county building on Oct. 1. In two years, no county employee will be allowed to smoke anywhere on county property.

Keith Reinke, 50, of Pensacola, is a smoker who owns his own concrete polishing business. He's not sure what to think about the new tobacco-free hiring policy.

''I guess it's their option to do that; it is getting to be a matter of affordability. [Health costs] are so expensive you can't hardly blame them,'' Reinke said. ``But what's next? You can't have a beer. Alcohol is bad for you, too. It's starting to walk a fine line. Smokers are an easy target.''

[sanneke]

I would not even want to work there.

They want control over you.

What is it their business what I do in my free time?

Ridiculas.

[Nazareth]

Bob thaese kinds of discriminatuions are just goign ot keep on happening time and time again as the rabid anti-smokers see how far they can push us smokers- The ONLY thing we smokers can do- but won't do unfortunately' is launch a massive protest and strike against any business that condones discrimination agaisnt smokers. The ONLY thing htese creeps will respond to is being hurt financially for hte discriminatory actions.

This o****ry was built on the backs and sweat of smokers, and htese creeps who now reap the benifits of those hwo preceeded us and buoilt htese businesses would not even have their jobs if smokers didn't build the businesses for htem to work at- But sadly, we as a country are becoming less concious and appreciative of htose hwo fought and worked to make htis countrty what it is today!

[Lady Python]

Originally Posted by sanneke

I would not even want to work there.

They want control over you.

What is it their business what I do in my free time?

Ridiculas.

We (F2C) said long ago that smoking bans were the thin edge of a very thick wedge.

We're beginning to see the first rumblings towards prohibition of alcohol in the UK as well at the moment - something the smoking lobby have been warning about for years.

They said they'd never ban smoking. They did.

No doubt, we'll be hearing a couple of years down the line "They won't ban alcohol". They will despite the fact that everyone knows prohibition doesn't work. You only have to look to the Roaring 20's to see that.

Sanneke. You summed it up 110%. They want control over every aspect of our lives and people really need to wake up and say enough is enough and start fighting back.

[Lady Python]

Worth also remembering that the brave soldiers, airmen and sailors who fought in two world wars were nearly all smokers.

They would turn in their graves if they could see what is happening at the present day

[20ADAY]

Originally Posted by Lady Python

.

We're beginning to see the first rumblings towards prohibition of alcohol in the UK as well at the moment - something the smoking lobby have been warning about for years.

.

In what way ?

[TropicalBob]

A discussion of that would take this badly off-topic. Open a thread in community for that.

[Nazareth]

Originally Posted by Lady Python

Worth also remembering that the brave soldiers, airmen and sailors who fought in two world wars were nearly all smokers.

They would turn in their graves if they could see what is happening at the present day

Can you imagien self-righteous, rabid anti-smokers banning servicemen and women fro msmoking? Especially right before goign into battle? Egads! I challenge any anti-smokerto go after the military- we'll seewhat kind of reception these anti-smoking pukes receive then!

[Lady Python]

Originally Posted by 20ADAY

In what way ?

With this:

A ban on happy hours and cut-price promotions

Pubs and clubs ordered to serve smaller measures of wines & spirits as standard

Cigarette-style health warnings on cans and bottles, extending a voluntary scheme where containers show the units of alcohol

Loss leading alcohol sales by supermarkets may also be targeted.

Drinks promotions and happy hours have been regulated by individual pub companies since 2005. But ministers believe there has been widespread abuse of a voluntary code.

Only a matter of time before alcohol ads are taken off TV and breweries are no longer allowed to sponsor sport.

Think it won't happen 20ADay?

We thought that once about cigarettes. It'll never happen we said but it did.

We are also seeing people sacked or turned down for jobs because they smoke here in the UK too, although at present it hasn't happened too often - yet (keeping the subject on topic TB).

Nazareth. I'm with you all the way

[20ADAY]

LadyPython, thanks, wasnt aware of all that... Wont pull this thread OT, sorry Bob.