My company is going to fine tobacco users 500 bucks

[Corporate Thug]

It's pretty easy to enforce - random drug tests.

Can the tests tell the difference between nicotine from smoking and patches?

 

[Scarpozzi]

I heard about this years ago as a state-wide policy change for all state employees.... Because we're in the South, it never went into effect, but I expect it back as soon as the state feels warm and fuzzy enough from the economic recovery. Insurance companies are the driving force here. They are charging more for known smokers and a simple saliva test can detect tobacco use. This is all driven by the evils of capitalism in healthcare.....not that it's always a bad thing. It's just insurance companies trying to stack the odds in their favor.

 

[surfsatwerk]

Can the tests tell the difference between nicotine from smoking and patches?

I farm tobacco in my spare time. Must have absorbed all that nicotine through skin contact when we brought in the harvest Sunday.

 

[Mixolydian]

Things like this make me glad I'm union.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Can the tests tell the difference between nicotine from smoking and patches?

Doesn't matter. If you're a smoker then pay the stupid tax. If you're so weak you can't stop inhaling a cancerous substance without the use of a crutch you too pay the stupid tax.

 

[OutHouse]

I don't think it does, not if the company is paying for health care and their rates are based on health status of their employees.

paying some but not all. I shell out about 450 a month in health insurance through my company.

if there are savings it will never trickle down to us the workers, it will go straight to the guys who get bonuses and the board.

 

[surfsatwerk]

Doesn't matter. If you're a smoker then pay the stupid tax. If you're so weak you can't stop inhaling a cancerous substance without the use of a crutch you too pay the stupid tax.

Nicotine gum is not smoking.

 

[OCGuy]

It would cost them more to enforce this policy (testing, spying, firing good employees and training new ones, etc) than they will save in premiums for declaring they have a tobacco-free work-place.

Remember, the employer doesn't care if you smoke. They just want to be able to tell the insurance company that you don't. This is about $$$, they don't give a shit about your health.

 

[OutHouse]

Doesn't matter. If you're a smoker then pay the stupid tax. If you're so weak you can't stop inhaling a cancerous substance without the use of a crutch you too pay the stupid tax.

you enjoy telling other people how to live?

 

[OutHouse]

they just want to be able to tell the insurance company that you don't. This is about $$$, they don't give a shit about your health.

ding ding ding!!

 

[OCGuy]

Doesn't matter. If you're a smoker then pay the stupid tax. If you're so weak you can't stop inhaling a cancerous substance without the use of a crutch you too pay the stupid tax.

Doesn't matter. If you're a drinker then pay the stupid tax. If you're so weak you can't stop drinking a cancerous substance without the use of a crutch you too pay the stupid tax.

Doesn't matter. If you're into extreme sports then pay the stupid tax. If you're so weak you can't stop engaging in dangerous activities without the use of a crutch you too pay the stupid tax.

Doesn't matter. If you eat fast food then pay the stupid tax. If you're so weak you can't stop inhaling a cancerous substance without the use of a crutch you too pay the stupid tax.

That is why that concept is flawed. Besides the fact it cant be enforced.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

you enjoy telling other people how to live?

No not at all. Smoke if you like. Just don't expect me to pay for your oxygen bottle or throat box. Also I don't want to smell you either so keep your distance.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Doesn't matter. If you're a smoker then pay the stupid tax. If you're so weak you can't stop inhaling a cancerous substance without the use of a crutch you too pay the stupid tax.

How does it not matter when there is a specific exemption for people in cessation programs? I assume cessation programs involve some sort of tobacco use while they slowly wean you off.

 

[OCGuy]

No not at all. Smoke if you like. Just don't expect me to pay for your oxygen bottle or throat box. Also I don't want to smell you either so keep your distance.

"You" would pay more for a smoker without insurance, since the cost would be shifted to the public completely, even if they only received basic end of life care.

 

[JamesV]

Are they going to fine fat people too?

Not so sure that they can select which bad behaviors they need to "fine" people for. Smoking is not illegal behavior (yet)

Some lucky employee is going to win millions from a lawsuit by fighting this kind of thing, and the best argument is what you said - 'fine fat people too?'.

Both smoking and over-eating are voluntary vices, and arguably the fat person will have far more medical problems; you aren't going to have bad ankles nor the severity of blood pressure problems from smoking.

And how about alcoholics? If you are heavy drinker, even while not at work, your health issues can affect the health care costs of your company.

The best is probably 'what if you are gay?'. Will you get charged more since you are more likely to get AIDS? Perhaps the company will refund the extra health care money you spend if you take some religious fanatic course to 'make you straight'.

Can of worms.

 

[SAWYER]

I dont smoke but this is absurd. If cigs are this bad and burden then they should be outlawed if people who smoke are treated like criminals

 

[surfsatwerk]

Smokers are the canary in the coal mine of our society. Stupid policies like this will eventually trickle down to everyone else in some way, shape, or form.

 

[slippysoup]

My company instituted a fat tax at the beginning of this year. We have weigh ins every 6 months and if you don't meet your goal you pay an extra $100 a month.

 

[OCGuy]

I dont smoke but this is absurd. If cigs are this bad and burden then they should be outlawed if people who smoke are treated like criminals

They are pretty bad, but the last thing we need is more drug laws.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:R..._(mean_physical_harm_and_mean_dependence).svg

 

[highland145]

My company instituted a fat tax at the beginning of this year. We have weigh ins every 6 months and if you don't meet your goal you pay an extra $100 a month.

What's the range they allow? BMI, which we know is BS, says I'm supposed to be 187. Even when my body fat was 10%, I was 193.

 

[jaedaliu]

Remember, the employer doesn't care if you smoke. They just want to be able to tell the insurance company that you don't. This is about $$$, they don't give a shit about your health.

Well, yes. If you cost your company more than what you're helping them earn, they'll boot your ass to the curb, too! It's in the company's best interests to have healthy employees. Training new ones to cover for the ones on disability is expensive.

So yes, they do care about your health.... only to make sure they maximize profit.

 

[soulcougher73]

I don't smoke but if I think that's a pretty stupid policy. If you're going to charge people for smoking, what's next - charging employees for being overweight?

Most likely yes in the not too distant future.

 

[OutHouse]

My company instituted a fat tax at the beginning of this year. We have weigh ins every 6 months and if you don't meet your goal you pay an extra $100 a month.

holy shit, are you serious? thats more that what the military does. whats next for your company, everybody has to do their annual PT test (2 mile run, situps push ups) and have your PT score weigh on your performance rating and raise?

 

[Red Squirrel]

Instead of punishing everyone, smokers and fatties should just have to pay more for insurance. If they want to keep smoking or stay fat, they can, they just have to pay more, meanwhile the ones that don't smoke and don't eat 389486948 calories per day can benefit from lower costs.

Seems absurd to be fining people for a life decision. It's their life, if they want to smoke off the job, they should be able to. I can see restricting on the job smoking, but off the job, they should not be allowed to touch. I hate how companies control people's lives. Once you're off the clock companies should not be allowed to dictate what you can and cannot do. On that same subject, conflict of interest stuff pisses me off too. What I do on my own time should not be of their concern as long as I'm showing up and doing my job.

 

[Patranus]

Pretty reasonable. Why should non-smokers have to pay more to cover the smokers higher premiums?

Why should people who work out subsidize health insurance for those neck-beards who sit on their ass all day playing video games and eating Cheetos?