This is happening everywhere

[Tnt Cigarguy]

Below is a link for one of the biggest health care providers in the US. This is their new policy and I know its true as my sister just lost the job because she smokes cigs. They say it has to be 1 year since you smoked.

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/2011/06/30/20110630arizona-smokers-not-hired-by-humana.html#ixzz1Qn3lbRc1

 

[smokinpeace]

It's good to be self-employed. They are about to do this at my wife's work as well. She doesn't smoke, so not a huge deal for us.

 

[GoingPostal]

now when are they going to go after those who consume alcohol. or have more than 3 cups of coffee! or are married cause married couples have children which lead to higher premiums, are employess with children going to pay more than those that are single:timebomb:
Then there is the question no one asks. company wants people to stop smoking to keep thier jobs, ok lets say they do. where is arizona (and US govt.) going to get the tax revenue lost by the lack of tobacco sales.

 

[ciggy]

What this country needs is a good revolution! Just sick of insurance companies and our government screwing the American people. :argh:

 

[ChazHollywood]

To enforce the tobacco ban that starts Friday, Humana will test new employees for nicotine use during a pre-employment urine drug screen.

Remind me again why we don't think it's weird as all hell for a potential employer to ask for a sample of your bodily secretions as a condition of employment.

-Charles

 

[Dave]

Remind me again why we don't think it's weird as all hell for a potential employer to ask for a sample of your bodily secretions as a condition of employment.

-Charles

9.1% unemployment

 

[hdroadglide]

"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."

 

[Cigary43]

I remember the story on 60 minutes about a Company that was mandating that their employees meet certain criteria to stay employed....one of them was that they not smoke. While I understand that any employer would want their employees to be healthy it's another thing to mandate health performance. What about those employees who drink alcohol where the numbers tell us that it leads to more health issues than anything else? What about Diabetes...what about cancer...what about 22,000 other known illnesses and diseases?

 

[ChazHollywood]

9.1% unemployment

Fair point. I guess I'm mostly just bitter because my objections have generally been dismissed with "If you're not a druggie you have nothing to worry about!" which is entirely not the point.

I guess people will see that for themselves now.

-Charles

 

[Skitalets]

Fair point. I guess I'm mostly just bitter because my objections have generally been dismissed with "If you're not a druggie you have nothing to worry about!" which is entirely not the point.

This is a really worthwhile point about civil liberties. People need to stand up when they can, even on minor issues, because not everyone is in a position to stand up to authorities (and in this case employers) when they can.

A lot of people paid a high price for our freedom. We shouldn't give it up easily (see my sig).

 

[jerseyjay]

Un-f'in-believable !!!

- What about obesity ? Are they testing for that ?
- Alcohol abuse ?
- and list goes on !!!

What the F is wrong with this country !

PS. Leaving my house and going to the NYC_Big_Smoke !!!

 

[Skitalets]

PS. Leaving my house and going to the NYC_Big_Smoke !!!

Are you sure you want to leave your house? The world is very dangerous! Maybe you should contact the government and your employer to see if you're allowed to go outside! :headroll:

 

[jerseyjay]

Are you sure you want to leave your house? The world is very dangerous! Maybe you should contact the government and your employer to see if you're allowed to go outside! :headroll:

Seriously !!!

Whoever said that this country was all about freedom, had to be under some influence. There is very little freedom and even that is being slowly taken away.:riflefire:riflefire:riflefire

 

[orangedog]

- What about obesity ? Are they testing for that ?

This is exactly what popped into my head. I don't want to put the time into looking up the numbers, but I would guess that overweight people are a large burden on insurance, if not a larger burden than smokers.

When will companies start saying you have to be at XX% body fat or less (besides Abercrombie and Fitch, of course)?

To some degree, a company shouldn't be forced to hire people that are opposed to or otherwise damaging to the aims of the company, but in this case, smoking isn't something that is against the concept of insurance - rather it is a component of insurance pricing. Terrible expansion of a misguided policy.

 

[D Quintero]

cigarette inhalers deserve to pay more, but not sure about being outright denied

smokeless tobac dip fiends also should cough up an extra surcharge

cigar smokers can prob beat the system no sweat as long as you predom go with less than 2 robo or less per week and refrain from nic bombs.

 

[Jfire]

I guess I'll just have to go into house fires when there is only just fire and no smoke! (and to all my other FF botlers u know there is no such thing as a cold zone)

 

[giantstogie]

what happened to being in equal opporitunity employer? I am so tired of the nanny state. Just becuase i work for you does not give you the right to tell me what i can do when you are not paying me.

 

[Lorax429]

I have to pay an extra $40 a month starting in January for my health benefits at work because I smoke cigars. And thanks to all the changes that Obama care brought to my company I'll be paying higher premiums for a lot less coverage and a lot more out of pocket expense. Obama care is totally screwing me over.

 

[ilikefishes]

What this country needs is a good revolution! Just sick of insurance companies and our government screwing the American people. :argh:

It is coming. Sooner than most think. Distrust is everywhere.

 

[njstone]

Insurance companies, governments, and employers will CONTINUE to go after smokers and tobacco use BECAUSE THEY CAN. There is nothing stopping them in countries like the US, Britain, and Australia. All 3 of these countries are typically smart (more or less), and the fact that they are letting this witch-hunts continue unabated is amazing to me.

YOU HAVE NO RIGHTS. And it's YOUR fault, cigar smokers! We've allowed Big Tobacco to group us in with cigarette smokers, and now all tobacco is being persecuted equally (which is ridiculous).

If we don't stop this madness soon, cigars will be illegal within 8-10 years. No, I'm not kidding.