1st post

[steffie]

My employer has already banned tobacco use in some other countries and as of January first, tobacco use will be banned on any property they own or lease in the US (including parking lots). Tobacco use outside of work has not yet been banned, but they do charge tobacco-users more for health and life insurance.

They offered cessasion programs, but I reluctantly admit that I really enjoy getting up from my desk twice a day and going outside to relax and smoke for a bit. I haven't had the nerve to approach anyone at work about e-smoking, asI am certain they would attempt to ban it as well.

A number of people have spoken out against the tobacco ban, but they are holding their ground. Even non-smokers are upset at the loss of rights. Many people fear what is next... ban on fast food or sweets? higher insurance premiums for employess who are overweight or have risky hobbies?

[Schroedinger's cat]

They'll likely enforce the same ban at my workplace on January 1st, although the date has not been officially announced yet, hence my approach to the e-cigarette. I never dreamed that it would get me down so far in my cigarette consumption - I only planned to start "training" at work for the hard times, but I am now smoking 3 cigarettes a day-from 22- with no trouble (I never smoke before 4 PM). I just take my e-cig to work, and asked no one. Nor will I, I think.... I also noticed that my nicotine cravings have substantially declined, even though I do vape nic (low or medium). Most of my colleagues are also upset at the ban (none of them a smoker), and my workplace also offers NRT - but I am not going to take it. I sure hope they won't attempt to ban smoking outside work, because then I'd have to quit (my job). Even if I managed to go nic-free, which I do not plan to, I could not possibly work at a place where they trample on my personal rights in such manner. This is really the new fascism....

[RikkusRide]

I feel so sorry for any one that would quietly sit back and let this happen. When I lived in Denver CO and they enforced the no smoking bans inside i was hot. My hubby didn't smoke at the time, I did. We both agreed, if an establishment owner didn't want smoking in their facility that was fine, but to say its not up to you or them was absurd. Now we have someone telling you can't smoke on your own time. FFS, I feel violated and this does not affect me directly, YET. I would not quit smoking/esmoking for any job. I know the economy is dead and good luck finding a job that pays as well, I'll be stopping water before I give up my rights.

"People willing to trade their freedom for temporary security deserve neither and will lose both." - Benjamin Franklin

[nicowolf]

ok, first let me say I am loving this thread. Expressive posts, intelligent conversation, and plenty of respect for one another.

Rikkus, I love the Ben Frankline quote. I will have to write that down somewhere and ponder it some more.

Everything in me cries out to defend myself against such an agrievous abuse of authority and political power. BUT, I don't know how to fight back. I feel completely powerless in our political climate to fight against these injustices. I would quit my job, but I and my family feel the effects of that decision, not the company for whom I work. If I quit my job every time I feel my rights have been trampled upon (and I have in the past, for many years), I am the one who is seen as being flighty and unable to commit to a job - this is the first full time job I have stayed at for more than a year and I am 35.

I don't have any experts on my side to help me fight the laws.

The only thing I do have is the knowledge that I have learned from history - prohibition does not work. Addicts will do whatever is necessary to satisfy their addiction. We need some experts to back us esmokers with facts and research. We need spokespeople to get these facts and research to the people making these decisions - attorneys, lobbyists, commercial interests. We need political power - but how do we get that?

Rikkus, I just noticed your location that is foggin' hilarious! Thanks for the giggle, I needed that.

[e-pipeman]

"People willing to trade their freedom for temporary security deserve neither and will lose both." - Benjamin Franklin

Reminds me of recent so-called anti-terrorism legislation in the UK. It has so far been used by local councils to place people under surveillance over such terrorist issues as school catchment areas. Hundreds of years of freedom are quietly being eroded. Not good.

[texastumbleweed]

work for the military hospitals. everyone smokes. i wouldnt work in a civilian hospital if it were the last place on earth-been an RN for 18 years now.
and what the hayull is an "anti"????

This is my first post - have been lurking for about a month now. I am still waiting for my first device to arrive. I just wanted to chime in on this post.

I work in a hospital where the policy has been a tobacco free work day for two years now. I am not permitted to smoke or chew tobacco at any time during my shift, not even on my breaks. The consequences for bucking this policy escalate more sharply than any other policy on the books. The first infraction results in a warning - only if it is outdoors. The next one is a write-up. The third is automatic termination. There is no forgiveness - even if it is twenty years between infractions. I don't even have to be caught in the act. All that is required is an accusation from ANYONE. That means if any one of the 500 or so employees I come into contact with daily feel I slighted them, they only have to accuse me to get me in very serious hot water. They don't even have to have proof . I have already been falsely accused once.

The latest policy is that as of October 1 of this year, all new hires will be screened for continine and anyone with a positive continine test will not be hired. That means if you are on the patch, the lozenge, or the gum you can't work there. All nicotine becomes continine in your body.

For the past two years I have been using nicotine gum for 8-1/2 hours a day. I also spend my lunch walking two blocks, through a parking deck, taking the stairs down to the bottom, and stepping out under a bridge to smoke half a cigarette, then reversing the process to get back to work. I use gum to cover my breath and Febreeze to cover the odor on my clothes. I am extremely careful not to be visible by any window on hospital property - not an easy feat since the campus spans three blocks. And someone STILL approached the director of my department saying they know I am smoking on my lunch and does she want them to pursue this.

The antis at this hospital judge EVERYTHING. They have felt the need to try and enlist my mother's help in admonishing me about my coffee drinking when I have tried to have breakfast in the cafeteria with her.

Where does this end? When do we stand up to these busybodies and tell them to focus on the crap they are putting into their own bodies and keep their nose out of our business? I am livid - but I can't risk alienating anyone as they could accuse me again.

I don't mean to incite a riot even though the way I feel is riotous. I really meant to share my story to illustrate for you all just how crazy they have gotten about trying to control my body. It has nothing to do with second hand smoke or smell since it now involves tobacco free alternatives. This is strictly about public relations and CONTROL.

[nicowolf]

and what the hayull is an "anti"????

An anti is one of those people who is against pretty much everything. They are constantly judging everyone else's vices and behavior - almost never their own. They like to carry an air of superiority, draw attention to other people's "shortcomings", tell everyone around them how to live their life - what to eat, what to drink, what to smoke, which words they are not allowed to say, which political views to espouse, etc.

They are anti-tobacco, anti-alcohol, anti-abortion, anti-you supply the word. They love to tell me I am going to hell for one thing or another or tell me I will get cancer from eating microwaved food or smoking or drinking coffee.

This is a stereotype, don't get me wrong here. There are things I stand against too. I just don't feel it is my place to tell others what is right for them. I do tell my closest friends what I really feel about them and their behaviors - I point out patterns I see as inhibiting their dreams and goals - but I leave it at that and I do it privately, not in public for everyone to hear and chime in on.

Not all antis are anti everything. Some are anti-tobacco, but prochoice for example. They are just way too vocal about the things they are against and way too eager to eradicate the world of anyone who isn't just like them.

I, for one, am pro-emoticon. I put them in most of my posts, and I appreciate seeing them the posts of others, but I don't try to create, fund, or force legislation stating that emoticons are mandatory on any post of 100 characters or more.

[Schroedinger's cat]

Not all antis are anti everything. Some are anti-tobacco, but prochoice for example. They are just way too vocal about the things they are against and way too eager to eradicate the world of anyone who isn't just like them.

Smoker-bashing is an equal opportunity activity, and perhaps the "liberals" are even worse than the conservatives (I consider myself a liberal, although a smoking one). In fact, smokers are pretty mch the only category left around (perhaps even more than overweight people) that it is "okay" to really be mean to. Many of those who spew venom on smokers, would have more pity on other addicts, and defnitely more respect toward just about any other "group". When I was young in Italy, ALL lefties smoked non-stop, and not only tobacco.... Now that is definitely not the case. In part, I am afraid it has to do with the notion of "protecting" people from anything, and in part it is a moral judgment. Being "healthy" is the new fashion, and if one does something clearly unhealthy, than one deserves spite. Not to mention if we look like we are having fun with it, too, which may be why other addictions get more understanding, since there are more problems connected with them (e.g alcohol).