So you're looking for a job are you? Good luck if you're....

[hb99]

C'mon man, why are you getting all upset?

OK, I don't usually go back on my word, but I feel like I need to reply to let you know that I was not upset.

All's good! I'm fine. I hope you are too. I appreciate the back and forth, but I have a guitar amplifier that needs repairing.

 

[jp61]

OK, I don't usually go back on my word, but I feel like I need to reply to let you know that I was not upset.

All's good! I'm fine. I hope you are too. I appreciate the back and forth, but I have a guitar amplifier that needs repairing.

Okay, sounds good.

It's probably the flux capacitor :)

 

[bryonlr]

After smoking 2 packs a day for 45 years, I put them down 3 years ago and haven't smoked since. I worked for the same company for 30 years, retiring in 2006. Smoking on the job was totally fine for the first 25 years, then suddenly the company said no more smoking in the factory. The air inside the plant was like a fog due to the coolant mist and was so thick you could not wash the smell out of your clothes, but the company would not admit this might be an issue. Since my retirement, I average 4 to 5 funerals honoring one of my former co-workers, 98% died from some sort of cancer. While I agree that smoking is a very unhealthy habit, but in my situation, I think tobacco smoke is the least of the companies issue.

 

[jp61]

:eek: Future non-smoking employees

 

[dls1]

Can someone explain to me how this practice is legal? I have heard from others that it's all about the cost of health insurance to the employer. Where does it end? Are we going to wake up one day to find out we can't work anywhere because we eat BBQ food as an example?

Just read this thread through for the first time, and though it's gone in a few different directions, I'll attempt to stick with the OP's initial question "Can someone explain to me how this practice is legal?".

First, at the Federal level, existing anti-discrimination laws do not prohibit employers from discriminating based on whether or not the person is a smoker. At the State level, it's a different matter. There are twenty nine States plus the District of Columbia with laws that protect tobacco users from discrimination in the hiring process by employers. Generally speaking, the State laws fall into 3 different categories,

1. Tobacco-only laws: Eighteen states specifically prohibit discrimination against tobacco users.
   
2. Lawful consumable products laws: Eight states protect employees from discrimination if they use lawful consumable products, which, of course, would include tobacco.
3. Lawful outside activities laws: Four states say employers can't discriminate against employees who engage in lawful activities outside of work.

For the States with anti-discrimination laws there are, to the best of my knowledge, no laws prohibiting an employer from charging a smoking employee (or their covered dependents) a higher share of the overall premium than for non-smokers. Also, there are no restrictions on what the smokers increased cost could be up to the total employer/employee shared cost. In other words, for example, if the employer's share of the total premium costs are 75% with 25% being passed on to a non-smoking employee, a smoking employee could, theoretically, end up paying 100% of the total costs.

For those individuals seeking employment in the States without anti-discrimination laws, how any given employer handles the matter is simply a roll of the dice.

 

[jp61]

Thanks dls1

I read this same info looking further into this topic. My opinion hasn't changed.

 

[SmokyMose]

After smoking 2 packs a day for 45 years, I put them down 3 years ago and haven't smoked since. I worked for the same company for 30 years, retiring in 2006. Smoking on the job was totally fine for the first 25 years, then suddenly the company said no more smoking in the factory. The air inside the plant was like a fog due to the coolant mist and was so thick you could not wash the smell out of your clothes, but the company would not admit this might be an issue. Since my retirement, I average 4 to 5 funerals honoring one of my former co-workers, 98% died from some sort of cancer. While I agree that smoking is a very unhealthy habit, but in my situation, I think tobacco smoke is the least of the companies issue.

The industry I work in uses forklifts extensively. All venues don't allow smoking (they don't have a choice, anyway, because of state or municipal law), but somehow 6 to 30 propane powered forklifts indoors is OK. There may be some PC involved, but I believe as well that most of it is insurance related....

 

[hoity toit]

The Blowing Smoke Forum IS for anything you wish to talk about, no politics or religion, except smoking meat and other subjects covered by one of our forums. If the subject is smoked meat of any kind,there is a separate and appropriate Forum for that.
There has always been a few that dictate the behavior of all! Look at Prohibition. A few convinced the government that alcohol is the Root of all Evil. Since the 90's Tobacco is the Devil. There are more and more articles being published about how dangerous Nitrites and Smoked Meat is for you...Get ready boys! They get your name and address when you register the Serial Number of your smoker for warranty claims. They'll be coming for you next!...JJ

Funny Jimmy, sad but you are right.When does the stupidity and madness stop these days.

HT