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Smoking Could Cost You The Perfect Job...Indiana Passes New Law

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Smoking Could Cost You The Perfect Job...Indiana Passes New Law

19 years ago 0 +0 / -0 2027

Great news, Sharon. One more bite out of Ol' Nic's rear end. :eg: How are you doing now? Shevie [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/23/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 338 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 6,773 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1284.4 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 63 [B]Hrs:[/B] 3 [B]Mins:[/B] 15 [B]Seconds:[/B] 32

19 years ago 0 +0 / -0 2027

Smokers are not a protected class, therefore they are not covered by EEO. I am sympathetic to the smokers, it hasn't been that long, I haven't forgotten what it's like. But why should a business be forced to hire someone it deems undesireable when there are equally qualified "desireables" out there? Should a business have to hire a heroin addict with a $100/day habit? Should a business have to hire someone who will come to work drunk every day? Rusty, you have the freedom to choose to smoke, if you wish. Employers have the freedom to not hire you if you do. Businesses have rights, too. On the other hand, the government outlawing an otherwise legal activity in specific places is, IMO, wrong. If smoking is to be outlawed, then make it illegal. Make the possession of tobacco products illegal. Fine and/or jail people for having, using, and selling them, just like is done with any other illegal substance. Shevie Shevie [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/23/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 340 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 6,812 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1292 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 63 [B]Hrs:[/B] 11 [B]Mins:[/B] 59 [B]Seconds:[/B] 1

19 years ago 0 +0 / -0 2027

KahneKrazy, people have the freedom to choose to engage in an activity that damages them. That's OK, so long as I'm not damaged along with them. But as an extension of that freedom, businesses should also have the freedom to hire whoever they want, provided the decision is based on sound business principles. In hiring a smoker who will probably cost the company more than a non-smoker of equal ability, I think the company should choose the non-smoker. This logic also extends to people who overeat, gamble, engage in dangerous sports, regularly drink or use drugs to excess, play hooky, sleep in, or have some physical difficulty with the job. If it comes to the point that I can't get a job because businesses feel that something I do is undesireable, then I should probably consider not doing it anymore. Sharon, I think we're pretty much saying the same thing, just in different words. Personally, I wish nicotine would be classified as an illegal drug. Then a lot of these "personal choice" and "freedom infringement" issues would just go away. Shevie [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/23/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 340 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 6,811 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1292 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 63 [B]Hrs:[/B] 11 [B]Mins:[/B] 47 [B]Seconds:[/B] 49

19 years ago 0 +0 / -0 56

I couldn't agree with Rusty more. I am an RN FROM Indiana and quit smoking over a year ago. (I smoked a lot on hospital grounds). Yes I,too , have sympathy and empathy. One of the big rules of healthcare is to be nonjudgmental. We cannot deliver considerate, kind, skillful care without that attitude. Many healthcare problems are preventable with a change of lifestyle but an institution cannot legislate lifestyle. Our governor has an "off with their heads approach" and it has trickled down into our legislature and affected life in Indiana. I find his attitude frightening. Where does it stop???? JJ [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/24/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 399 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 11,984 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1895.25 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 52 [B]Hrs:[/B] 16 [B]Mins:[/B] 20 [B]Seconds:[/B] 22

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$63,908.25

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Days: 631 Hours: 12

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5217

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182,595

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19 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1115

Sharon, You and Joe must have an interesting marriage. Everything the 2 of you post brings about great discussions. While I would be ecstatic for nicotine consumption to be made illegal, I can�t agree with employers being able to make a decision on hiring someone based on their smoking. I do believe that as a terribly addictive and potentially debilitating drug, nicotine should be an illegal substance. Cigarettes, cigars, and chewing tobacco cause about 20% of the deaths each year in the US. Many believe that to be a low estimate. There are generally segments of the population that start trends that will eventually become a reality. Hopefully, the non-smoking trend will catch on quickly. I do know that when I was in high school, a large percentage of students smoked. The much smaller percentage that now smoke in the high school my daughter attends are not considered �cool�. They are basically looked down on. If this spiral continues, we won�t have to worry much about being �allowed� to smoke. The more businesses that ban smoking, the less appealing smoking will be for the employee. With hope for a smokeless future. Not cravin', never cavin'. Hummy [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/5/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 359 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 14,382 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $2333.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 46 [B]Hrs:[/B] 15 [B]Mins:[/B] 2 [B]Seconds:[/B] 43

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$476,600.80

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Days: 5865 Hours: 23

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45827

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916,540

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19 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1115

Joe? Blunt? You�ve got to be kidding. He�d NEVER be blunt � or opinionated! :p Actually, I love Joe, blunt or not. What a tremendous support he�s been here at the SSC. He and Shevie quit about the same time as me, so we�ve �grown up� together. You 2 have a great weekend. Hugs, Hummy [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/5/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 359 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 14,398 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $2333.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 46 [B]Hrs:[/B] 16 [B]Mins:[/B] 22 [B]Seconds:[/B] 57

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$476,600.80

Amount Saved
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Days: 5865 Hours: 23

Minutes: 15 Seconds: 2

Life Gained
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45827

Smoke Free Days
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916,540

Cigarettes Not Smoked

19 years ago 0 +0 / -0 2462

Sorry, Shevie. I don't believe I ever said a business should be forced to hire a smoker. I do believe I said that what I do in my personal life is none of my employer's business. That said, I now quit.

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$59,103.20

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Days: 711 Hours: 5

Minutes: 36 Seconds: 40

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5683

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227,320

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19 years ago 0 +0 / -0 2462

I sure hope they never take away my freedom to make choices. Rusty

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$59,103.20

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Days: 711 Hours: 5

Minutes: 36 Seconds: 40

Life Gained
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5683

Smoke Free Days
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227,320

Cigarettes Not Smoked

19 years ago 0 +0 / -0 2462

When they get to the point of not hiring smokers, I wonder when they'll do the same for drinkers? Or fat people? Rusty [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 12/13/2004 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 499 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 13,993 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1746.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 68 [B]Hrs:[/B] 17 [B]Mins:[/B] 54 [B]Seconds:[/B] 56

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$59,103.20

Amount Saved
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Days: 711 Hours: 5

Minutes: 36 Seconds: 40

Life Gained
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5683

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227,320

Cigarettes Not Smoked

19 years ago 0 +0 / -0 2462

Yes, I have empathy for smokers. I was one. How could I not? And yes, I have sympathy for smokers. I was one. How could I not? How could I pretend that I am better or smarter than them or any addict since I am one? I don't have a problem with businesses telling people what they can and can't do on the property. I have a major problem with businesses or government being allowed to go into our private lives, private activities, or private health issues and using that as a basis for hiring or not hiring anyone. I don't have "contempt" for the Indiana law. I just fear what might come next. Rusty [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 12/13/2004 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 500 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 14,009 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1750 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 68 [B]Hrs:[/B] 19 [B]Mins:[/B] 51 [B]Seconds:[/B] 59

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$59,103.20

Amount Saved
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Days: 711 Hours: 5

Minutes: 36 Seconds: 40

Life Gained
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5683

Smoke Free Days
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227,320

Cigarettes Not Smoked

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Smoking Could Cost You The Perfect Job...Indiana Passes New Law