Santa Rosa Sheriff's Department Outlaws...Tobacco?

[IANAN]

Well the obvious answer to this is to have people start paying their own insurance.

That is the beef here for the employers. They are basically saying 'if we are paying for your medical care, you're going to stop doing things that make it so expensive'. Their insurance costs no doubt go way down if they are insuring a bunch of non-smokers, so you cant really blame them.

The number 1 predictor for heart disease isn't if you smoke or not... It's how well you do on a stress test. Many smokers would have disadvantages, but so would someone who overeats (Whom has an unbalanced diet) or who doesn't exercise on a regular basis...

A better question would be why are smoker's rates jacked up in the first place instead of everyone whom would do poor on a stress test.

And cancer-- Well smokers have a higher morbidity rate with cancer (and other diseases anyhow- hence don't live as long) thus the total number of chances of re-lapse is lower than the non-smoker. You don't pay money for treatment if the patient is dead- and that my friends is a fact. Look at the total number of cancer incidents at age 60, 70, 80, and 90 with smokers Vs non-smokers (Know what the smokers rates are lower- cause they didn't live long enough to die from cancer at 80 and 90). Sure smoking increases your chance of cancer but so does age!! Not eating enough veggies, diets high in fat, diets high in sugars, not exercising enough, family history, sunlight, environmental exposures to chemicals, and certain viruses (Like HPV) effect cancer rates also.

The problem is these companies won't change their ways unless they are sued.

[trs-80]

Both the sheriffs of Escambia and Santa Rosa FL are on the local call in show at 1330 weby. They have answered some questions about the policy but I don't remeber all there answers.I heard some of David Morgans answers . I think he said he doesn't intend do this here in Escambia but maybe the station has recordings. Rephrase : I know they make recordings but I don't know if they are available to public. You could always call in to the show. If Big Brother keeps this sht up I think I will "head for the hills".

[JoshPrototype]

I'm sure this point might have been brought to attention already, however if not I'll make it. Hiring someone or disqualifying someone from hirability based on their use of nicotine or any other type of legal drug that does not impair their ability to perform the job within reasonable accommodation would violate the EEOC's law governing disabilities, or retaliation if presented in court.

[Brewster 59]

This definetly needs a lawsuit field against it nic is a legal drug just like caffiene. If employers are allow to dictate what employees can do on their off time where will it stop. This is an complete invasion of privacy and wheather you use nic or not is besides the point how long before they say no alcohol or caffiene on your offtime because it might be bad 4 your health.

[Webby]

This definetly needs a lawsuit field against it nic is a legal drug just like caffiene. If employers are allow to dictate what employees can do on their off time where will it stop. This is an complete invasion of privacy and wheather you use nic or not is besides the point how long before they say no alcohol or caffiene on your offtime because it might be bad 4 your health.

Unfortunately it wasn't a private employer, it was a county (i.e; government) job. Unlike private companies, states and municipalities can enforce "community standards" or policies that would otherwise have the ACLU parachuting Berkley grad students in by the plane load.

[frazzledglispa]

"CBCA will provide them with Chantix, free of charge. They aren't even hawking the NRT's. Just the Chantix"

I wonder if they can be sued then if the person suffers negative effects from the Chantix. I read an article recently discussing how Chantix has had more annual complaints reported about it than any other drug currently on the market. Even more than Oxycontin which was the previous "champion."

If your company provides you with Chantix and you are one of the people that develops erratic and violent behavior, or commits suicide can they be held liable?