Employer Rebates

[Demarko]

Watson Furniture, in Poulsbo Washington is turning into a "tobacco free" campus as of Jan 1, 2012. The reason I think this is awesome is that they are offering employees a $250 rebate if they get gums, patches OR electronic cigarette kits. This should totally be encouraged by all employers - for not only letting people vape, but to help facilitate it!

 

[jj2]

Now that is awesome!!!!!

 

[Running Wolf]

Big time cool!

Think I should try to search through the forums here and collect stories like this. Companies that are vape-friendly as well as the ones offering incentives to quit smoking that include PVs.

 

[caspr]

More employers need to do this.

 

[Demarko]

I think this should be applauded, that is just soooo damn cool of them to do!

 

[rothenbj]

Watson Furniture, in Poulsbo Washington is turning into a "tobacco free" campus as of Jan 1, 2012. The reason I think this is awesome is that they are offering employees a $250 rebate if they get gums, patches OR electronic cigarette kits. This should totally be encouraged by all employers - for not only letting people vape, but to help facilitate it!

Now that's the kind of publicity we need to counteract the negative publicity generated by the medical industry when they ban nicotine use. Stories like that seem to be covered by all types of news outlets. Was this story picked up even in the local papers? Of course BP spends a lot of money advertising in all forms of media so nicotine bans would tend to make for a "better story".

 

[Demarko]

Now that's the kind of publicity we need to counteract the negative publicity generated by the medical industry when they ban nicotine use. Stories like that seem to be covered by all types of news outlets. Was this story picked up even in the local papers? Of course BP spends a lot of money advertising in all forms of media so nicotine bans would tend to make for a "better story".

No, I learned about it from one of the employees who came into my shop (I have a B&M store near there, been open about 6 weeks). A second one came in a bit later, and bought our most expensive kit, and a buncha atty's and juices... He gave me the details, and it was very explicit - approved cessation products OR ecig kits only. I think this would be a good choice for positive emails and reviews, personally.

 

[Vocalek]

I think what Watson Furniture is doing is great -- the carrot instead of the stick. Now, we just need to get the facts about snus and dissolvables to the WF leadership.

The rewards should go to those who are "smoke free", not necessarily "tobacco free".

This document is a good starting place. The list of references alone is priceless. Print a copy and give it to your doctor, your boss, your pastor, a smoker that you care about...

http://www.harmreductionjournal.com/content/pdf/1477-7517-8-19.pdf

 

[Demarko]

I think what Watson Furniture is doing is great -- the carrot instead of the stick. Now, we just need to get the facts about snus and dissolvables to the WF leadership.

The rewards should go to those who are "smoke free", not necessarily "tobacco free".

This document is a good starting place. The list of references alone is priceless. Print a copy and give it to your doctor, your boss, your pastor, a smoker that you care about...

http://www.harmreductionjournal.com/content/pdf/1477-7517-8-19.pdf

I'll be honest with you, I'm getting a snus fridge soon but... There is literally no place within a 2 hour drive to get ANY decent snus where I'm at. Let's not discourage them or inundate them with information.

And I can't get disolvables in Washington. If anyone knows different, I'd love to have that information of how to get them.

PS - if anyone knows how to get ahold of General Snus... their contact form is broken, and I need a General fridge!

 

[Vocalek]

Right now the only dissolvables that are being widely marketed are the Ariva (about 1 mg) and Stonewall (about 4 mg) orbs. These are made by Star Scientific. I haven't found them at convenience stores, but they are sometimes sold in tobacco stores. You can also get them via mail order. (http://www.getsnus.com/)

The SS web site (Ariva Smoke Free tobacco- The Future of Tobacco) lists a phone number that you can call to find a store near you that carries them.

And you are probably right about not rocking the boat at WF right now. And, in fact, both snus and dissolvables can be used discretely, so maybe the Rodu article can be something that WF employees keep in their desk drawer in case they get caught using a smokeless tobacco product. Sometimes it is easier to get forgiveness than permission.

 

[Bill Godshall]

I couldn't find any reference of this new policy on Watson Furniture's website, which touts the company as green, sustainable and other environmentally friendly terms.

In order to forward news of this new policy (if Demarko's statement is accurate) to others is to first obtain and then post a copy of the company's new policy and/or a obtain and post any news story that's already been generated abut the policy.

 

[Demarko]

I couldn't find any reference of this new policy on Watson Furniture's website, which touts the company as green, sustainable and other environmentally friendly terms.

In order to forward news of this new policy (if Demarko's statement is accurate) to others is to first obtain and then post a copy of the company's new policy and/or a obtain and post any news story that's already been generated abut the policy.

I'll see what I can find out tomorrow, I'm intending to call them and confirm it, since a number of the employees there have been telling me this.

 

[Placebo Effect]

I'll see what I can find out tomorrow, I'm intending to call them and confirm it, since a number of the employees there have been telling me this.

It's true. I got confirmation from the CEO.

Good Morning Mr. Conley –

Yes, this is true. Thanks for your note.

Clif McKenzie

watson | ceo | cmckenzie@watsonfurniture.com

----

From: Gregory Conley
Sent: Sunday, December 18, 2011 1:12 PM
To: Clif McKenzie
Subject: Watson's tobacco free policy

Mr. McKenzie,



There is an Internet posting mentioning that Watson Furniture was offering a rebate of up to $250 for employees who quit smoking using NRTs or e-cigarettes. http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/media-general-news/249677-employer-rebates.html



Is this true? If so, I'd like to commend you and your company for extending the option of using e-cigarettes to your employees. This is a rational, common sense policy that few have embraced.

Sincerely,

 

[Demarko]

It's true. I got confirmation from the CEO.

That is just so awesome. I hope they get some good press out of this Even if it's just among us.