This is happening at my work

[NICnurse]

DC2: the easiest way to check carbon monoxide levels is to look at a hemoglobin and check for carboxyhemoglobin levels. This shows how carbon monoxide has bonded to hgb and to what extent. Its not a simple test though because many things raise your carboxy levels .....sadly and most notably we check these levels every 2 hours when someone has attempted suicide via running the car in a garage.

ABG levels do not directly test for monoxide....they show dioxide only. In order for a blood gas to show effects of monoxide, the person would need to have levels really really high to show the body compensating for that monoxide level. So high that if you aren't in the hospital you are in a precarious situation. An average smoker would be nowhere near these levels at all.

Also....yes, oxygen levels in an ABG can differ between a smoker or a non smoker....but usually not before either significant lung disease has occurred. And that is a big if. If a physician were to diagnose smoker vs nonsmoker purely based on ABG oxygen results, the diagnosis would be wrong ~80% of the time. Respiratory failure is not isolated to smokers. Healthy people end up with decreased O2 levels for various reasons, just as smokers can have normal O2 levels for many reasons.

I hope this helps a little!

 

[div]

Just to update: I never did find that 'other form' to mark yes or no to tobacco, so couldn't find the extra fine print. Still searching though, and phone calls are next, been really swamped at work. The building recently put a no smoking sign at the patio area, which I cannot fault them really on that, since someone tossed a lit cig into the bushes and a bad enough fire started. Sign was up come Monday. I used to sit out there at lunch time (shade from the sun) no other covering out in the parking lot, and vape...but no longer, I go to my car. Tempted to just sit and vape there, but till I find the fine print, I'm going to be careful who may be watching. I'm still getting questions from others on switching, so a good thing.

 

[kabonk]

at my work not only do you have to be smoke free but you have to say you live in a smoke free house to get a break on the insurance premiums, so they are not only going after smoker but second hand smokers

 

[div]

That is just going to far...my HOME!? Like someone did mention that 80% of my time is work, leave the 20% alone...what comes next what is allowed or not by your Insurance Company?! They are all evil I swear.

at my work not only do you have to be smoke free but you have to say you live in a smoke free house to get a break on the insurance premiums, so they are not only going after smoker but second hand smokers

 

[recidivus]

There is no way I would EVER sign as a smoker, as you are not. They can test you all they want, every human has a trace of nicotine in their blood!!!!

Vaping doesn't leave "trace" levels, and testing accommodates for them.

 

[Lbox88]

Just talked to someone at my work, I had skipped my physical this year due to my travel schedule, but someone in our office received a request from their doctor for another blood test because the insurance wanted it. I assume they are trying to raise his premium as well. Mine is already going to be higher since I could not go in and get a physical done.

 

[317Vapers]

At my work we get a discounted rate if we are tobacco free and another for BMI info and another for being under certain blood pressure. so I checked yes I'm tobacco free. Didn't say anything about nicotine but well see. Cause they did blood work for my exam for my other discounts and I have a feeling they will be testing for nicotine. But hey I didn't lie I'm not using tobacco right?

 

[Dac311]

The problem most people are forgetting is that as much as you don't want it to be, e juice IS a tobacco product. The nicotine is extracted from tobacco, so it is a tobacco product. It's not the same as calling moutain dew or red bull a "coffee bean product" because they don't get the caffeine from coffee beans.

 

[Flexxx]

When you pay that extra $30.00 does it come with a couple packs of cigs?

 

[volume control]

I answer no on everything. If they test me i switch to 0mg and suffer for for 5-7 days prior to the test, pass with flying colors. I have been tested too =(

 

[BlueZ28]

My work does this too. I just answer yes, although I only made the switch 3 months ago.

 

[DC2]

It's not the same as calling moutain dew or red bull a "coffee bean product" because they don't get the caffeine from coffee beans.

Where do they get the caffeine?

 

[Butters78]

Look at the email my work just sent me a few minutes ago. Fight against nicotine?



Join other XXX associates in the fight against nicotine by participating in the Great American Smokeout on November 15 th .

We know that quitting smoking is hard, but it can really improve your health and save healthcare costs. That’s why XXX offers free programs to help associates quit tobacco use. If you haven’t already, call the Quit for Life Program at 1-866-784-XXXX (Password “TakeCare”) and start the journey to a healthier you.

As a reminder: Effective January 2013, associates who smoke or use tobacco will pay an additional $15/week for medical coverage. If you are in a tobacco cessation program or trying to quit under the supervision of a medical provider, you will not be charged the extra $15.

 

[DC2]

Look at the email my work just sent me a few minutes ago. Fight against nicotine?

I'm sorry the company you work for has their heads up their ... regarding SMOKE versus nicotine.
I would hate to have to deal with such ignorance.

You should counter with a "Fight Against Caffeine" initiative.
I'm sure none of them would even get the point though.

 

[Indagroove]

Yep, I have to pay $50 a month if I smoke.

Options included the following:
1. No I do not smoke
2. I plan on quitting by Dec 15th.
3. I will pay the $50.

And it does say 'Tobacco' use as in cigarettes, cigars, snuff, chewing tobacco etc. Nothing about nicotine.
The funny thing is, it says you can join their cessation program where they will send you free gum and patches both of which contain nicotine.

So if they want to test me, after I have quit analogs and start vaping (waiting for my eGo-C), go for it. I will get a lawyer on this quicker than you can say cartomizer! I up for a good fight.

Oh and if my wife was offered insurance at her work and she choose to go on mine (as in the family plan) it would cost us an additional $50 a month.

Got to love the ACA and these insurance companies.

 

[zapped]

You can also go into a drugstore or Wal-mart, buy 4 months of nicotine lozenges or gum to get the receipt and then return the unopened and unused packages (verify that you can return these items first) for credit to your debit or credit card, a store credit or maybe cash.

They have NO WAY of knowing that you arent using those instead of a pv.

Im a big advocate of fighting fire with fire and have zero problems doing this especially if your company or insurance company isnt going to play nice.

 

[AlmityPunx]

the one i had at work asked if i used TOBACCO products... last time i answered it i had to say i was a tobacco user but now im not. been vaping almost 6 months now so i dont consider it a fraudulent answer to say NO.

they do have tests for nicotine use but just dont give them cause like vaping at work and you should be good.